Eddie Hearn Predicts Opetaia vs. Nyika and Dubois vs. Parker Showdowns

It’s been a quiet start to the year in 2025 for the boxing world, but activity will increase with Jai Opetaia facing David Nyika for the IBF cruiserweight title on Jan. 8. The heavyweight division will take centre stage in February with Daniel Dubois defending his IBF strap against Josep Parker. Ahead of these two fights, Eddie Hearn has spoken to the New Zealand Herald and predicted both world title bouts.

Eddie Hearn Discusses Opetaia vs. Nyika and Dubois vs. Parker

Hearn Shares Insights on Dubois vs. Parker

Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) will be looking to defend his IBF title against Parker (35-3, 23 KOs) on the loaded Feb. 22 card in Riyadh. Despite Dubois comprehensively defeating Anthony Joshua last time out, Hearn is tipping the challenger to triumph next month: “I think Joe Parker wins. I really do. I’m a big Joe Parker fan. He’s a mate of mine. I’m kind of his unofficial promoter,” said Hearn.

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“For Dubois everyone is talking about Usyk or the AJ rematch. Joe does all the things you need to be able to do to beat Dubois, which is take him deep, work-rate, have a good chin, keep landing, keep chipping away.” 

Hearn added: “Dubois used to have a threshold where he was asked questions, and it used to come after three or four rounds. Now because of his confidence that might come after seven, eight, nine rounds. You’ve got to take him there and then you’ve got to make Dubois question his heart. Joe is the kind of fighter to do that, so I think he wins.”

Hearn Talks Opetaia vs. Nyika

Nyika clearly possesses a lot of talent, but taking on this huge challenge so early on in his professional career shows how much confidence he has in his own ability. Speaking on the New Zealand fighter taking this fight so early: “I love it. You should be taking the fight. It’s definitely too early for him. But just because it’s too early doesn’t mean he can’t win. Belief is a huge part of it but you’ve got to truly believe,” Hearn said when speaking to the New Zealand Herald. 

Talking about the ability of Nyika, Hearn said: “Sometimes you can get a fighter who doesn’t have the attributes to win.They just say they’re going to win. Nyika is good. He’s well-schooled. He can punch. And he’s fast. But he’s got a mountain to climb. It’s going to be a brilliant fight.”

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He continued:“David has a great chance because he is good enough. It’s just whether he’s ready. I believe David Nyika will be world champion. Will he be world champion on Wednesday? That’s the million-dollar question.”

Hearn summarised the fight perfectly: “It’s a huge step up. You’re fighting the best cruiserweight in the world. You’re never going to fight a better guy in the division than Jai.”

Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika Full Fight Card

• Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika, 12 rounds, for Opetaia’s lineal/IBF cruiserweight title
• Justis Huni vs. Shaun Potgieter, 10 rounds, heavyweights
• Austin Aokuso vs. Leti Leti, 10 rounds, light heavyweights
• Max McIntyre vs. Abdulselam Saman, 10 rounds, super middleweights
• Ben Mahoney vs. Fan Zhang, 10 rounds, super welterweights
• Teremoana Teremoana vs. Osasu Otobo, 6 rounds, heavyweights
• Taylah Gentzen vs. Shauna Browne, 10 rounds, female lightweights
• Tony Ingram vs. Runqi Zhou, 8 rounds, junior lightweights
• Xavier Fletcher vs. Freddy Doidoi, 6 rounds, light heavyweights
• Billy McAllister vs. Jordan Towns, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
• Kodi Shallali vs. Albert Tu’ua, 4 rounds, welterweights

Feb. 22 Full Fight Card

• Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, rematch, 12 rounds, for Beterbiev’s undisputed light heavyweight title
• Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker, 12 rounds, for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight title
• Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield, 12 rounds, for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title
• Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, 12 rounds, for Adames’ WBC middleweight title
• Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov, 12 rounds, for Ortiz’s WBC interim super welterweight title
• Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC interim heavyweight title
• Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith, 12 rounds, for Buatsi’s WBO interim light heavyweight title

Stay with Big Fight Weekend for the recap of Opetaia vs. Nyika on Jan. 8, all the build-up, and a full recap of the loaded Feb. 22 card.