Jai Opetaia fights on home soil today, defending the IBF cruiserweight title against David Nyika in Australia.
Both men enter the bout unbeaten, with Opetaia’s record reading 26-0 (20 knockouts) and Nyika’s standing at 10-0 (9 KOs). Opetaia, who is the favourite over the New Zealand boxer, is looking to set up a possible unification clash with Gilberto Ramirez – and even a potential heavyweight meeting with Oleksandr Usyk…
Opetaia, 29, enters this fight on the back of a stoppage win against Jack Massey in October, which followed a decision victory over Mairis Briedis – Opetaia’s second win against the former champion. In fact, Opetaia’s first fight with Briedis took place at the venue for today’s title bout: the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In the same building where the Aussie first became a world champion, in 2022, can he keep his belt against Nyika, also 29? We’ll soon find out.
Follow live updates and results from Opetaia vs Nyika below. We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE
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Jai Opetaia defends IBF cruiserweight belt against David Nyika
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Australia’s Opetaia fights on home soil against New Zealander
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Both men are unbeaten: Opetaia 26-0 (20 KOs); Nyika 10-0 (9 KOs)
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Opetaia eyes unification bout with WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez next
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Is Oleksandr Usyk in Opetaia’s future? Aussie could move to heavyweight
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Ben Mahoney vs Fan Zhang
09:57 , Alex Pattle
Round two
The only potential concern for Mahoney is whether he’s overexerted himself. And early in round two, Zhang is on the front foot, pushing back the home fighter and forcing him into throwing slightly sloppier shots. But Mahoney is landing with some of them – those uppercuts in particular are still working for him. He even manages to reverse the momentum for a while, pressuring Zhang, but not for long. Still, a close round, with Mahoney landing the heavier punches.
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Ben Mahoney vs Fan Zhang
09:53 , Alex Pattle
Round one
Ten rounds scheduled here. Mahoney makes a fast start, pressing forward and sending out plenty of activity. He’s varying his targets, going from head to body with heavy offence. Zhang is able to weather some of that and push back the Aussie late in the round, but Mahoney’s hooks to the body and uppercuts to the head were the story of that frame. Some great step-back crosses to the head, too, with brilliant timing.
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Ben Mahoney vs Fan Zhang
09:50 , Alex Pattle
Next up is a super-welterweight bout between Ben Mahoney and Fan Zhang.
Australia’s Mahoney is unbeaten at 14-0-1 (8 KOs), while China’s Zhang is 8-2-1 (5 KOs).
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Main-event odds
09:45 , Alex Pattle
Opetaia – 1/8
Nyika – 5/1
Draw – 20/1
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Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Full card
09:35 , Alex Pattle
Here’s how the rest of the card looks, subject to late changes…
Jai Opetaia (champion) vs David Nyika (IBF cruiserweight title)
Justis Huni vs Shaun Potgieter (heavyweight)
Max McIntyre vs Abdulselam Saman (super-middleweight)
Ben Mahoney vs Fan Zhang (super-welterweight)
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Teremoana Jr blitzes past Osasu Otobo
09:30 , Alex Pattle
Teremoana Jr crushes Osasu Otobo, getting a finish inside the first minute!
Otobo went after Teremoana in the opening seconds, there was a brief clinch, then Teremoana showed his superior accuracy and timing in the ensuing exchanges.
It was a left hook across the top of the dome that floored Otobo, and he was counted out by the referee while on one knee.
Teremoana Jr def. Osasu Otobo via first-round KO (0:57)
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: How to watch the event
09:25 , Alex Pattle
The event will stream live on DAZN in more than 200 countries, including the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand. Viewers in Australia and New Zealand can watch the fights on DAZN pay-per-view; elsewhere, the event is covered by a DAZN subscription. Purchase a subscription to DAZN here, with plans starting at £14.99 a month.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: Undercard results so far
09:20 , Alex Pattle
The first few fights of the day are in the books!
Shauna Browne just outpointed Taylah Gentzen, staying unbeaten and handing her opponent her first pro loss.
Before that, Runqi Zhou beat Tony Ingram via decision, Jag Guthmann-Chester outpointed Jai Williams in each man’s first pro fight, Billy McAllister stopped Jordan Towns in round two, and Kodi Shallali drew with Albert Tu’ua.
Next up, Teremoana Jr puts his unbeaten record on the line against Osasu Otobo.
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE: What time are main-event ring walks?
09:15 , Alex Pattle
Opetaia vs Nyika will take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia today.
The earliest undercard fights are already under way, and we’ll have you covered with round-by-round updates shortly.
Ring-walk timings for Opetaia vs Nyika have not yet been announced, but are expected no earlier than 8pm local time, which is 10am GMT (2am PT / 4am CT / 5am ET).
Opetaia vs Nyika start time, live stream and undercard
Opetaia vs Nyika LIVE
09:00 , Alex Pattle
Jai Opetaia fights on home soil today, defending the IBF cruiserweight title against David Nyika in Australia.
Both men enter the bout unbeaten, with Opetaia’s record reading 26-0 (20 knockouts) and Nyika’s standing at 10-0 (9 KOs). Opetaia, who is the favourite over the New Zealand boxer, is looking to set up a possible unification clash with Gilberto Ramirez – and even a potential heavyweight meeting with Oleksandr Usyk…
Opetaia, 29, enters this fight on the back of a stoppage win against Jack Massey in October, which followed a decision victory over Mairis Briedis – Opetaia’s second win against the former champion. In fact, Opetaia’s first fight with Briedis took place at the venue for today’s title bout: the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In the same building where the Aussie first became a world champion, in 2022, can he keep his belt against Nyika, 29? We’ll soon find out.
