Within the house of only a few weeks, two fighters from New Zealand will probably be difficult for world titles. This week, on Wednesday, unbeaten former newbie standout David Nyika will problem IBF and Ring Journal cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, whereas subsequent month, on February 22, former WBO heavyweight champ Joseph Parker will try and take the IBF heavyweight title off Daniel Dubois.
Each males will enter the ring because the underdog, with the 10-(9) Nyika particularly seeing hefty odds in opposition to him. Not solely is that this an enormous soar up at school for Nyika, however he’s additionally taking the Opetaia combat at brief discover, with him stepping in after authentic Opetaia challenger Huseyin Cinkara pulled out with an ankle harm. However some folks really feel Nyika can pull off the upset. And so far as the Dubois-Parker combat goes, some folks say it might probably not be an upset if Parker gained.
Eddie Hearn, who works with Opetaia and has been saying for a while now that the Australian is the most effective 200-pounder on the planet in the present day, feels Nyika has an actual shot in opposition to the 26-0(20) Opetaia, whereas Hearn is outright selecting Parker, 35-3(23) to defeat Dubois, who’s at present 22-2(21).
Hearn spoke with The New Zealand Herald about each upcoming fights.
“I’ve recognized David a very long time. He’s an excellent fighter however I used to be at all times considering this combat can be in 12 months’ time. I couldn’t consider it when he took the combat,” Hearn stated. “I adore it. You ought to be taking the combat. It’s undoubtedly too early for him. However simply because it’s too early doesn’t imply he can’t win. Perception is a large a part of it however you’ve received to really consider. Nyika is sweet. He’s well-schooled. He can punch. And he’s quick. However he’s received a mountain to climb. It’s going to be an excellent combat.”
As Hearn additionally recommended, this combat HAS come too quickly for Nyika, however we’ve seen much less skilled fighters seemingly come out of nowhere to both upset the champion or give him nothing however hell within the combat (suppose Azumah Nelson and his virtually upset over the good Salvador Sanchez for one instance of a ‘the place the hell did he come from?’ combat).
These early rounds may show to be an actual check for Nyika, but when he can get by them and take Opetaia’s finest punches, who is aware of? It ought to be an important combat as Hearn says.
As for Parker in opposition to Dubois, Hearn has stated for a while that he feels Parker will take Dubois’ belt.
“I feel Joe Parker wins. I actually do,” Hearn stated. “I’m an enormous Joe Parker fan. He’s a mate of mine. I’m form of his unofficial promoter. Everyone seems to be speaking about Zurdo Ramirez and Oleksandr Usyk. For Dubois, everyone seems to be speaking about Usyk or the AJ rematch. Joe does all of the belongings you want to have the ability to beat Dubois which is take him deep, work-rate, have a great chin, preserve touchdown, preserve chipping away. Dubois used to have a threshold the place he was requested questions and it used to come back after three or 4 rounds. Now, due to his confidence, that may come after seven, eight, 9 rounds. You’ve received to take him there, and then you definitely’ve received to make Dubois query his coronary heart. Joe is the form of fighter to try this, so I feel he wins.”
Attention-grabbing. What worth each Nyika and Parker return dwelling to New Zealand as world champions?
Picks: I’m going Opetaia on factors in a surprisingly powerful combat that elevates each males. Parker, too, will win a call, as he comes by some scorching and heavy early rounds to complete sturdy sufficient within the center and later rounds to get the nod.
