Boxing

Why Jai Opetaia vs David Nyika is not to be missed

DAZN

6, Jan 25

Why Jai Opetaia vs David Nyika is not to be missed

Watch Opetaia vs Nyika Jan 8 live on DAZN

One of the world’s best fighters gets the boxing year kicked off in style on Wednesday, January 8, live on DAZN.

IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia returns to the ring for what will be his third title defence after stopping Jack Massey in October.

In the opposite corner will be David Nyika, who will be appearing in what is the biggest bout of his career so far.

DAZN News looks at why fight fans need to watch this encounter.

One of the world’s best boxers

A thrilling clash with Mairis Briedis in 2022 was Jai Opetaia’s breakout moment.

Since beating the Latvian, Opetaia has gone from strength to strength, and has firmly established himself as one of the world’s best boxers.

Opetaia has won three of his last four fights by of knockout and fans cannot afford to miss this exciting talent as his career continues an upward trajectory.

Jai Opetaia_23122023 Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Nyika’s time to shine

Just 10 fights into his professional career, it does not get much bigger for the unbeaten David Nyika.

He has already won two Commonwealth Gold medals for New Zealand and is also an Olympic mediallist.

Could the unbeaten Kiwi become the IBF world cruiserweight champion before he turns 30?

A special homecoming for Opetaia

Opetaia’s clash with Nyika will be the first time in three years the former has fought in his home country of Australia.

Nothing quite beats seeing a fighter perform in front of his home fans.

With Opetaia, of Samoan heritage, being one of the faces of Australian boxing, expect an electric atmosphere when he makes his ringwalk at Broadbeach’s Gold Coast Convention Centre.

Nyika’s knockout warning

Manifesting has become a popular way for athletes to reach their goals and Nyika has adopted this practice in the build-up to January 8.

Placing notes on his mirror, Nyika wrote on August 29, 2023, that he will knock out Jai Opetaia, now fans can find out whether he will live up to this goal live on DAZN.

Memorable entrances

Nyika may well be the underdog, but he is not afraid to be the showman. One aspect of this is his ring entrances.

When fighting in Riyadh in May, Nyika entered the ring dressed as Transformer Optimus Prime.

What will Nyika have up his sleeve this time for the biggest fight of his career so far? Find out on Wednesday live on DAZN.

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.