Jai Opetaia KOs David Nyika then calls for Gilberto Ramirez

Jai Opetaia knocks out David Nyika cold then calls for the Gilberto Ramirez unification

Jai Opetaia knocked out David Nyika cold on January 8th, 2025, in the fifth defence of his IBF World and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles.

It was arguably the biggest fight in trans-Tasman history, in front of a sell out crowd at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland, broadcast around the world on DAZN.

The 29-year-old southpaw Opetaia landed a right uppercut-hook after a clinch to floor the challenger from New Zealand in the fourth round of their Australian showdown in Broadbeach, Queensland.

29-year-old Nyika returned to his feet on shaky legs but took a straight left backhand down the pipe, retreated to the ropes where he copped a swiping right hook to the top of the head, his right arm held on to the upper rope to help him stay standing until a short left hook knocked him out cold.

The champion praised his opponent, "He took the fight on two weeks notice. He came here to fight. He gave me a dogfight. I respect that."

Opetaia then called for the Gilberto Ramirez fight next.

"Ramirez... I'm coming for the belts," he taunted after the fight. "I've been waiting for these fights for a long time. I've been chasing these unification fights. I'm coming for my belts."

"Zurdo" Ramirez was last seen defeating British boxer Chris Billam-Smith in November 2024 to unify the WBO with his WBA belt.

"We have to chase for greatness," promoter Eddie Hearn said. "I believe he is the only person who can genuinely give Oleksandr a fight."