Boxing

Jai Opetaia sends aggressive warning to David Nyika ahead of world title fight

DAZN

6, Jan 25

Jai Opetaia sends aggressive warning to David Nyika ahead of world title fight

Watch Opetaia vs. Nyika Jan 8 live on DAZN

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is ready for a 'dog fight' ahead of his return to the ring on Wednesday.

Broadcast live on DAZN, Opetaia will face New Zealand's David Nyika in what will be the former's first fight in his home country of Australia since 2022.

There is no doubt Opetaia is the world's number one cruiserweight, and since becoming IBF champion for a second time last year, he has been on a destructive path.

Read next | Why Jai Opetaia vs David Nyika is not to be missed

This was evident in Opetaia's previous outing in October when he stopped Jack Massey in the sixth round of their contest in Riyadh.

Nyika will be a familiar face to Opetaia after the two have previously sparred, and speaking to The Stomping Ground, Opetaia praised his opponent before sending a warning ahead of fight night.

"I’m expecting a hard fight, I know he’s a good creative fighter. He’s smart in the ring, it’s going to be a good chess match," Opetaia said.

"He keeps talking about this dog fight, if you want to have a dog fight, let’s f—g have a dog fight.

"He is going to have to fight smart, whatever he comes out with, that’s what we have got to adapt to."

For Nyika, this upcoming fight with Opetaia is the biggest of his career to date.

The 29-year-old is undefeated in his 10 fights as a professional, with his last outing coming September where he beat Tommy Karpency by third round stoppage.

Watch Opetaia vs Nyika live on DAZN

Jai Opetaia and David Nyika's fight card and the DAZN live broadcast will begin at 8am GMT; 3am ET; 6pm AEST.

Opetaia and Nyika will then step into the ring at 12:30pm GMT; 7:30am ET; 10:30pm AEST.

In Australia and New Zealand, watch the fight on DAZN PPV as a one-off cost. For the UK, US and rest of the world, this fight is part of the regular DAZN subscription.

For prices of monthly or annual subscription and to sign up, click here.