Jai Opetaia and David Nyika have set the scene for their trans-Tasman world title fight by butting heads like bulls in a 45-second face-off on the eve of the bout.
Opetaia (26-0) will defend his IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belts against the Gatton-based New Zealand talent (10-0) at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday night.
They shared the stage at the venue on Tuesday, facing off and then pressing foreheads like a pair of proud Brahman in a tense 45-second exchange.
The 29-year-olds, both supreme amateurs with Olympic experience, have known each other for years and were regular sparring partners until a duel became inevitable early last year.
Nyika has taken the fight on three weeks’ notice after mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara withdrew with an ankle injury.
A long-shot with bookies, he’s adamant he can cause an upset and has been unflinching in the face of Opetaia’s trademark ferociousness this week.
“The time for talking is done, man. We’re sick of these interviews, let’s get it on,” the defending champion said.
“Get your popcorn ready, it’s going to be a show.”
Opetaia hasn’t fought in Australia since he upset Mairis Briedis to claim both belts at the same Gold Coast venue more than two years ago.
Since then he earnt a reputation as a knockout merchant in Europe and Saudi Arabia, a swift victory in London followed by three-straight triumphs in Riyadh putting him on the map abroad.
He’ll return to his home town as the country’s pound-for-pound No.1 but wary of Nyika, who won Olympic bronze in Tokyo 2021, boasts a height and reach advantage and is in impeccable shape.
“(I’m expecting) a good fight. He’s ready, I’m ready, let’s fight,” he said.
The stakes are high, with a potential unification bout against Mexican star Gilberto Ramirez, who owns the WBA and WBO belts, the next assignment.
“It’s a massive fight for Australian boxing,” British promoter and Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn said.
“Jai’s the No.1 star in Australia right now … the best cruiserweight in the world.
“But this is a real fight … Dave, he sees something, he believes but tomorrow night he’s up against an animal in Jai Opetaia.
“This is going to be a brilliant fight, a classic.”
Justis Huni (11-0) will fight South African Shaun Potgieter (10-1) in a quick return to the ring after his last win in December while Max McIntyre faces Turkey’s Abdulselam Saman for the IBF super middleweight youth world title as part of the 10-fight card.
