Highlights: Jai Opetaia blasts Nyika in 4 to keep IBF belt

Jai Opetaia finished a short but sweet action fight with a savage knockout of David Nyika

Jai Opetaia proved to be too much for a game David Nyika in a short but sweet action fight, ultimately retaining his IBF cruiserweight title in a DAZN main event from Gold Coast, Australia.

It was clear from the opening bell that neither man planned or expected a full 12 round fight, with both men throwing hard and often throughout. Opetaia (27-0, 21 KO) had to weather multiple challenges, most notably a big rally from Nyika at the end of the 2nd that left Opetaia looking unsteady on the way to his corner.

Nyika (10-1, 9 KO), like many challengers who fight to win rather than survive, looked very good until he was knocked out very hard. The tools and talent are clear, and Nyika was standing tough against Opetaia’s power while sending plenty of big punches back in return. It was a very competitive affair until midway through the 4th, when Opetaia put Nyika on the canvas about midway through, then put him down hard again on a savage right hand.

Nyika spent a lot of time laid out on the canvas getting medical treatment in the ring. Fortunately, he was eventually able to rise and exit under his own power.

Opetaia called out fellow cruiserweight champion Zurdo Ramirez in the aftermath, saying “I’m coming for my belts.” It’s the best matchup available, arguably one of the best matchups in the sport right now, and the discussion in the ring suggested we might see it happen on a Saudi card in 3-4 months.

Other results:

• Justis Huni TKO-2 Shaun Potgieter

• Max McIntyre TKO-4 Abdulselam Saman
• Ben Mahoney UD-10 Fan Zhang
• Teremoana Teremoana Jnr KO-1 Osasu Otobo

• Shauna Browne SD-10 Taylah Gentzen
• Billy McAllister TKO-2 Jordan Towns