GOLD COAST, Australia – Jai Opetaia believes the emotion of fighting back in Australia inspired the nature of his “slugfest” with David Nyika.
Oppetaya was fighting in his first fight in his home country since July 2022, when he impressively resisted a broken jaw to dethrone Mairis Briedis at IBF lightweight Championship throne. A few rounds later, he was knocked down devastatingly in the fourth.
Nica, like 29-year-old Opetaia, remained motionless for long periods of time and required oxygen before she could finally stand. When he did, he was met with applause, prompting the 5,000-plus spectators to further appreciate the entertaining fight they had just witnessed.
Since his first victory over Briedis, Opetaia has been regarded as Australia’s best boxer. His growing reputation also led to four more tournaments in Saudi Arabia and the UK.
His co-promoter, Tasman Warriors’ Mick Francis, said on the eve of the Opetaia-Nika contest that he hoped to stage more fights in Australia, with Oppetaya expected to compete in a unification contest in Saudi Arabia Gilberto Ramirez plays the next game. BoxingScene: “It was awesome, man — that fight was awesome. People came here to watch a war. They loved every minute of it.
“You know, I got tagged, he got tagged, throughout the fight, and then I clipped him in the fight and he couldn’t get up. That’s the danger of a melee, you know? That It was a fucking shootout – he kept his word, so you have to respect that.
“We did fight here, so that’s all that matters, you know? That’s what happened.
“The atmosphere, the time, the crowd – everything. The crowd loved it, man. It’s done, dusted off, so we move on.
“Fuck yes [I enjoyed it] – very angry. You get hurt or you get hit – I swing a little too wide, you know? But everything is fine.
“Man, it was just a typical free-for-all, man. We just kept fighting until somebody fucking fell asleep, that’s about it. It was good.
“I was starting to get a little worried, you know? You never want to – like I said, your opponent is never your enemy – so I just kept hoping he was OK. It took a while for him to start, but he fine.
“I hit him with a couple hard shots, man, and he just didn’t want to go down. He didn’t want to take a step back. I take my hat off to him, man. He showed a lot of love; it was a full-on gunfight. . I respect David Nica for that. He gave the crowd a good fight.”
Eddie Hearn and Matchroom are also promoting Opetaia, with Hearn revealing that he has been in touch with Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, who manages WBA and WBO champion Ramirez, to discuss preparations. The sought after unification contest.
Oppetaya had previously been thwarted in his attempts to land a similar fight with recently deposed WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith, but was asked if he was confident Ramirez could be his next When asked about his opponent, he responded: “Of course. Of course, we’re pursuing a unification fight. It should happen, you know? Why not? Why wouldn’t it happen? Yeah, so let’s fucking go. As soon as possible, man ”
Opeta has long been expected to eventually move up to heavyweight, and when asked how many more fights he thought he had left at lightweight and whether he was in his prime, he said: “There’s no time limit. You know my Meaning? We’re going at our own pace. We’re our own bosses – we don’t have to do what others want us to do, and when promotions come, they come.
“getting there [to my prime]brother. Get there. must. “
