Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika Ends in Brutal Knockout

Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) remains a cruiserweight world champion after blasting out David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs) in four rounds.

The time of stoppage was 2:17. With the win, Opetaia remains the IBF cruiserweight champion. 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.

The fight headlined a Tasman Fighters, Matchroom Boxing and Goldstar Promotion card at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Australia. Boxing fans around the world could catch the action live on DAZN. Those in Australia and New Zealand could also watch with DAZN but as a pay-per-view.

Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika Ends in Brutal Knockout

Fight Recap

The opening round was an active one with both men letting their hands go frequently. This continued into the subsequent rounds. Nyika regularly switched stances and was able to land cleanly to the head from time to time. However, Opetaia appeared to show no problem with taking the punches and was landing the harder shots in return.

The beginning of the end came in round four. A right hand on the chin sent Nyika down for the first time in the fight. Though the New Zealander got up, he appeared to be on shaky legs. Not long after he got up, Opetaia landed a series of hooks to the head that sent Nyika down once more. The fight was immediately ended.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 👑 𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐒 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄@jaiopetaia1 knocks David Nyika OUT COLD in the fourth 😳#OpetaiaNyika pic.twitter.com/EDRuaW7OUA

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 8, 2025

Nyika was on lying on the canvas for several minutes following the knockout. Fortunately, he eventually made it to his feet and left the ring on his own.

Post-fight Interview

Jai Opetaia

All respect from @jaiopetaia1 to David Nyika 👏#OpetaiaNyika pic.twitter.com/fIB78HzyxB

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 8, 2025

There’s one man that @jaiopetaia1 wants and that’s @ZurdoRamirezz 👀#OpetaiaNyika pic.twitter.com/e50XOKQtTb

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 8, 2025

Undercard Results

DAZN Only Broadcast

Justis Huni (12-0, 7 KOs) won via second round technical knockout against Shaun Potgieter (10-2, 7 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this 10-round heavyweight contest was 0:33. A barrage of punches from Huni in the second caused the referee to step in to put a halt to the fight with Potgieter still standing.

Max McIntyre (7-0, 6 KOs) won via fourth round technical knockout against Abdulselam Saman (8-2, 1 KO). The official time of stoppage for this 10-round super middleweight fight was 1:59. Saman went down in round four from a right hook. Not long after, he was sent down again from hooks to the body. McIntyre scored a third knockdown with a straight right, after which the referee put an end to proceedings.

Ben Mahoney (15-0-1, 8 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Fan Zhang (8-3-1, 5 KOs). Scores for the 10-round super welterweight clash were 100-90 across the board.

Teremoana Teremoana (6-0, 6 KOs) won via first round knockout against Osasu Otobo (11-2-1, 5 KOs). The official time of stoppage for this six-round heavyweight fight was 0:50. Otobo was knocked down from a left hand and did not beat the referee’s count.

Read More: Five Heavyweight Fighters to Watch in 2025

Shauna Browne (5-0, 3 KOs) won a split decision over Taylah Gentzen (6-1, 3 KOs) in a 10-round super lightweight bout. While one judge saw Gentzen winning 95-94, the other two had it 97-92 and 96-95 for Browne. Gentzen was knocked down in round seven from a right hook. This was a dominant performance from Browne, not sure how one judge had Gentzen ahead.

Opening the broadcast on DAZN, Billy McAllister (3-0, 3 KOs) won via second round technical knockout against Jordan Towns (2-3, 1 KO). The official time of stoppage for this four-round light heavyweight clash was 3:00. Towns was knocked down twice in the second round. After the second knockdown from an overhand right, his corner threw in the towel.

Preliminary Bouts on YouTube

In a portion of the undercard that was broadcast on YouTube, Runqi Zhou (9-2-1, 3 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Tony Ingram (6-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-round featherweight fight. Scores were 78-74 (x2) and 77-75.

Kodi Shallali (1-1-1, 0 KOs) and Albert Tu’ua (1-1-1, 0 KOs) fought to a majority draw in their four-round middleweight clash. While one judge had Tu’ua winning 38-37, the other two saw it 37-37. In round three, Tu’ua was knocked down from a left hand. He went down for a second time not long after from another left hand.

Untelevised Preliminary Bout

Jag Guthmann-Chester (1-0, 0 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Jai Williams (0-1, 0 KOs) in a 60kg (132.28 lbs) catchweight bout. Scores were 30-26 across the board. This was a three-round fight with each round lasting only two minutes. Williams was knocked down in the third. Both men are horse jockeys and this appears to be a one-off fight for both.