New Zealand boxer David Nyika has displayed his height advantage over Australian rival Jai Opetaia in a face-off two days before their IBF world cruiserweight championship fight on the Gold Coast today.
The pair, former sparring partners, squared off with each other following a press conference in which both displayed an abundance of confidence and determination.
World title holder Opetaia, undefeated over 26 professional bouts, has far more experience among the paid ranks but Nyika, who has a 10-0 professional record, will have a physical advantage in terms of height and reach.
Nyika is listed at 1.98m to Opetaia’s 1.88m. The height difference was nowhere near that pronounced when they faced each other today ahead of Wednesday night’s fight at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, there is no doubt that he will be punching "downhill" in boxing parlance.
Nyika also appeared utterly unfazed by the occasion, hosted by well-known promoter Eddie Hearn.
Nyika agreed instantly to step up for the fight on only three weeks’ notice following an injury to Opetaia’s previously scheduled opponent Huseyin Cinkara and, having won two gold Commonwealth Games medals and an Olympic bronze, is used to being on the big stage.
"I know I’ve got just as much heart and just as much grit as Jai," Nyika said.
"Jai obviously has the experience that I don’t possess but I’m going to prove to everybody in the next 48 hours that I have the capability and ability to become the new cruiserweight world champion.
"Put anybody in front of me. I’ve worked with the best cruiserweights and heavyweights in the world. I can beat anybody and I’ll show everybody that in the next 48 hours."
Nyika has previously sparred against heavyweights and will likely have done so during his limited build-up for this fight as Opetaia is one of the most relentless and hard-hitting cruiserweights in the world.
The southpaw has 20 knockouts from his 26 wins. Nyika, aged 29 like his Aussie rival, has stopped nine of his 10 opponents but none have been near the class that Opetaia represents.
"Whatever he wants to do, whatever transpires on the night, I’m here for it," Nyika said. "This will be an instant classic, I believe. I’m not giving anything away… Cinkara wasn’t going to be a threat to Jai – I believe I’m going to do one better and be the next cruiserweight world champion."
Hearn, assuming the role of interrogator at the press conference, which was open to the public, asked him: "Does David Nyika have the power to take him out inside the distance?" Nyika replied: "Yeah."
Opetaia, of course, has heard this throughout his career, a journey that has taken him from the Gold Coast to London and many places in between, including Riyadh. In fact, this will be his first fight in Australia since he beat Mairis Briedis for the IBF world title by unanimous decision two and a half years ago.
"They’ve all had that fire in their eye, they’ve all believed that this was this time to become world champion – just like I believe this is another stepping stone on my journey to greatness, to becoming the undisputed but without getting the job done on the 8th it all means nothing," Opetaia said. "So I must win."
Nyika, asked how he thought he would win, replied: "By any means. I’m not giving anything away… I have my plans and I hope Jai has his."
Opetaia said: "If the knockout comes, it comes. I know I can hurt him."
Nyika’s trainer Noel Thornberry, with whom Nyika stays in Gatton, rural Queensland, said: "I believe they’re the two best cruiserweights in the world.
"David is special.
"Both of these young men have the will to win. They have incredible skill and given they both have indominable will, I think it will come down to skill. David’s skillset is better than anybody’s in the world."
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