Nyika steps in to face Opetaia on Jan. 8

2020 Olympic bronze medalist David Nyika has reportedly agreed to battle IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia on short notice

With IBF cruiserweight mandatory Huseyin Cinkara out of commission, Jake Donovan reports that 2020 Olympic bronze medalist David Nyika will step up to face Jai Opetaia on January 8th in Broadbeach.

Per Donovan, this will satisfy Opetaia’s (26-0, 20 KO) mandatory obligation, meaning he won’t have to revisit the Cinkara fight should he emerge victorious. This is good news, as Cinkara is up there with Apinun Khongsong, Michael Dasmarinas, and Michael Eifert in the pantheon of terrible IBF mandatories.

Nyika (10-0, 9 KO) has yet to see the sixth round as a pro, though he’s woefully short on quality victories. His 2024 campaign saw him take out unheralded German Michael Seitz and overcooked former light heavyweight Tommy Karpency, handing the latter his sixth knockout loss in the process.

Still, a strong amateur pedigree and some Australia vs New Zealand beef make him a solid replacement, and at 29 years old, it’s not like a loss to Opetaia will permanently scuttle Nyika’s chance at ever claiming a world title.