Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika: Press Conference Quotes and Fight Prediction

It will not be long before Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) faces David Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) to defend his world cruiserweight title.

The two men headline a Tasman Fighters, Matchroom Boxing and Goldstar Promotion card at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia. Boxing fans around the world can catch the action live on DAZN. Those in Australia and New Zealand can also watch with DAZN but as a pay-per-view. Opetaia will be defending his IBF cruiserweight title. He won the belt with a unanimous decision win over Mairis Briedis in May last year.

Originally, Opetaia was to face Hüseyin Cinkara on January 8. However, a broken ankle to the German resulted in his withdrawal from the fight. As a result, Nyika was brought in. Ahead of their world title clash, Opetaia and Nyika spoke at a press conference. Below is some of what they had to say.

Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika Press Conference Quotes

Jai Opetaia

“Definitely,” said Opetaia when asked if he was confident in defending his world title in his home country. “It’s good to be hear. Good to be back in Australia, home soil. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve done a lot of international travel, a lot of international fights, so we’re not new to these big stages anymore. This feels like another day in the office. We’re meant to be here. We’ve done our apprenticeship. This is just all though to the labour, you know what I mean. We’ve built this division on my back, you know what I mean? So, it’s good. I’m ready and I’m sick of these interviews and I just want to fight.”

Read More: Jai Opetaia Overwhelms Jack Massey in Cruiserweight World Title Defence

“I believe that all my last opponents have [believed that they can become world champion]. I’ve sat down and had table faces and stuff with them and they’ve all had that fire in their eye. They’ve all believed that this is their time to become a world champion. Just like I believe this is another stepping stone to my journey to greatness, to becoming the undisputed.But without getting the job done on the eighth, it all means nothing. So I must win.”

“Like I said this is his chance to become a world champion. This is what us boys strive for our whole lives, our whole career. I know he’s willing to dig deep because this is what we wait for. We wait for these opportunities, but I’m ready for it. I’ve been in his shoes, I know where he’s coming from and I’ve still got that hunger. So wherever this goes, let’s go there.”

David Nyika

“That’s it, yeah,” said Nyika when Eddie Hearn said that “destiny awaits” the New Zealander. “This is what we pray for. I’ve trained hard, I believe in myself. I’ve got just as much heart, just as much grit as Jai [Opetaia]. Jai obviously has the experience that I don’t possess and I’m going to prove to everybody in 48 hours the capability that I have and the ability to become new cruiserweight world champion.”

Read More: Tokyo Olympic Silver Medalist Included: Five Underrated Cruiserweight Boxers to Look Out for in 2024

“I think I can beat anybody. Put anybody in front of me. I’ve worked with the best cruiserweights, the best heavyweights in the world. I can beat anybody and I’ll show everybody in 48 hours. That’s all it takes. You know I’ve prepared for this for the last 15 years. I’ve never aimed any lower than the top. This is just my opportunity, my chance to prove to the world exactly why I’m here.”

“I’ve got just as much dog as Jai and he knows that. He know that I come to fight. It’s whatever he wants to do. Whatever transpires on the night, I’m here for it. This is gonna be an instant classic, I believe…I’m not giving anything away, but this is gonna be, I believe we’re going to go through the gears. It’ll be a test match. It’ll be a dog fight, but I really feel like this is the fight to make today and Cinkara wasn’t going to pose a threat to Jai. I believe I’m going to do one better and become the next cruiserweight world champion.”

Fight Prediction

Nyika put it best when he said that Opetaia possesses experience he does not have. While the Australian may not have the best of resumes in boxing, it is still significantly better than anything his opponent has done in the professional ranks. In the end, this gulf in experience should be the difference. While Nyika has talent, it will ultimately not be enough to defeat Opetaia. Expect the reigning cruiserweight champion to win via stoppage within 10 rounds.

Full Press Conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Matchroom Boxing.