Opetaia retains cruiserweight titles with stunning win

Jai Opetaia delivered a brutal fourth-round knockout against New Zealand’s David Nyika on Wednesday, successfully defending his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles in Australia.

The 29-year-old Sāmoan powerhouse showcased his dominance, flooring Nyika twice in the same round.

The decisive blow came with a vicious left hook that left two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nyika face down on the canvas, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Earlier in the round, Opetaia dropped Nyika with a close-range combination, but the Kiwi quickly got back to his feet.

With Nyika pinned against the ropes, Opetaia capitalised, landing a flurry of punches before delivering the fight-ending hook.

The victory extends Opetaia’s unbeaten record, with 21 of his 27 wins coming via knockout. Nyika suffered his first professional loss in his 11th fight.

Nyika won the heavyweight bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

In his post-fight interview, Opetaia called out WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez, signalling his ambition to unify the cruiserweight belts.

Promoter Eddie Hearn also hinted at a potential showdown between Opetaia and heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, a matchup that could elevate the Sāmoan fighter’s career even further.

Australian heavyweight Teremoana Jnr, who has Cook Islands heritage, scored first-round knockout-win over German Osasu Otobo. Photo: Boxing News.

On the undercard, Australian Olympian and Pacific Games gold medallist Teremoana Teremoana Jnr improved his professional wins to 6-0 with a swift first-round knockout of German Osasu Otobo.

The towering Queenslander heavyweight, of Cook Islands heritage, dropped Otobo in the first round with a thunderous left hook, leaving the German unable to beat the count.