Jai Opetaia made sure the combat sports year started off with a bang.
The Australian champion retained his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles with a brutal fourth-round knockout of mandatory challenger David Nyika in their Trans-Tasman clash on Wednesday morning at a sold-out Gold Coast Convention Centre in Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia.
There was no feeling out process between Opetaia and Nyika. Both men threw big shots from the opening bell and Nyika had his fair share of success against Opetaia when they exchanged up close. But Opetaia grew stronger as the contest went on, and Nyika, who had never gone past five rounds, began to fade.
In the fourth round, Opetaia dialed up his aggression and fired powerful punches at Nyika, particularly with the right hook, which proved to be a key punch for the Australian. With 80 seconds to go in the fourth, Opetaia and Nyika were tied in a clinch; as they broke out, Opetaia let go of a left hand that Nyika managed to evade, but Nyika didn't see the follow-up punch, a short right hook that floored him.
Nyika got up almost immediately, opting not to take the full 10-count — clearly a bad choice, as the New Zealander was still on shaky legs when the action resumed. Opetaia immediately swarmed for the finish, forcing Nyika into the ropes. The defending champion switched momentarily to an orthodox stance and swung with an overhand right that caught Nyika flush on the chin. Nyika fell onto the ropes and was effectively knocked out on his feet, but because he was held up by the ropes, he took three more punishing shots from Opetaia.
When Nyika did eventually go down, he did so face-first. There was grave concern ringside for Nyika's health as he fell unconscious on the floor, but thankfully, he got back to his feet after a few minutes.
In his post-fight interview, Opetaia called out Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez for a WBA, WBO and IBF title unification bout. Opetaia's co-promoter, Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters, mentioned with a potential date of May 3 for that contest.
Rewatch the Opetaia vs. Nyika prelims below and catch full results and highlights of Wednesday's Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika fight card with Uncrowned.
Main Card
IBF cruiserweight title: Jai Opetaia def. David Nyika via fourth-round KO | Watch video
Heavyweight: Justis Huni def. Shaun Potgieter via second-round TKO | Watch video
Super middleweight: Max McIntyre def. Abdulselam Saman via fourth-round TKO | Watch video
Super welterweight: Ben Mahoney def. Fan Zhang via unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 100-90)
Heavyweight: Teremoana Teremoana def. Osasu Otobo via first-round KO | Watch video
Light heavyweight: Billy McAllister def. Jordan Towns via second-round TKO | Watch video
Prelims
Super featherweight: Runqi Zhou def. Tony Ingram via unanimous decision (77-75, 78-74, 78-74)
Welterweight: Albert Tu'ua & Kodi Shallali fight to a majority decision draw (37-37, 37-37, 38-37)
(Untelevised) Catchweight: Jai Williams def. Jag Guthmann-Chester via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER64 updates
Darshan Desai
Hearn wants Oleksandr Usyk at heavyweight for Opetaia down the line
Eddie Hearn: 'I think Jai is humble enough to not yet talk about the name of Oleksandr Usyk. I'm not, that's my job. For me, Usyk was the greatest cruiserweight of all time. He became undisputed at cruiserweight then he moved to heavyweight to become undisputed. Jai is gonna pick up all the belts in the cruiserweight division and then we want to push him into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk to become undisputed at heavyweight as well.'
Darshan Desai
Opetaia-Zurdo could take place May 3!
Mick Francis of Tasman Fighters, who co-promote Opetaia, has reiterated the fact that Turki Alalshikh has named May 3 as a potential date for the 3-belt cruiserweight unification clash between Jai Opetaia and Zurdo Ramirez.
Darshan Desai
Opetaia calls out Zurdo for 3-belt unification
Jai Opetaia: "Ramiez, I'm coming for those (WBA & IBF) belts. I'm coming for them."
Right hook from Opetaia pushes Nyika's head back. Opetaia is throwing with power early in round 4. The right hook seems to be the money punch for Opetaia.
Opetaia is starting to hold his feet now and landing with bad intentions.
Left hand-right hook from Opetaia and DOWN GOES NYIKA. Opetaia has been throwing that right hook viciously all night long and it's landed big in the fourth.
Nyika gets up but he is on shaky legs. RIGHT HOOK AGAIN and Nyika is out unconscious on his feet. Opetaia follows up with three more punches and Nyika falls to floor in a bad way at the end of a devastating left hand.
He is not moving. There is grave concern as Nyika is in a bad way on the floor, it was a brutal KO from Opetaia.
Darshan Desai
Opetaia vs. Nyika - Round 3
Hard body shot from Opetaia early in round 3. A three-punch combo follows a little later, the right hook was the impactful punch.
Nyika knows he needs to answer with something and starts to push Opetaia back. Opetaia fires back with a combination.
Left hooks goes Nyika. Opetaia is on the ropes and the pair trade heavy leather. WHAT A FIGHT!
10-9 Opetaia, 30-27 Opetaia
Darshan Desai
Opetaia vs. Nyika - Round 2
Opetaia forces Nyika back with the left hand. It didn't land clean but still had an impact.
Nyika goes to the body and follows it up with a right uppercut that lifted Opetaia's head up.
Two punches to the body from Opetaia. Opetaia and Nyika exchange fire on the inside.
Hard right hook lands for Opetaia followed by a HUGE OVERHAND LEFT, Nyika was stunned there. The New Zealander responds with a left hook and now it's Opetaia who has to hold on.
Great action early from both men!
10-9 Opetaia, 20-18 Opetaia
Darshan Desai
Opetaia vs. Nyika - Round 1
Jai Opetaia and David Nyika run to centre ring. Nyika gives up his position as Opetaia forces him to move laterally on the backfoot.
Opetaia is first to throw some power punches. Nyika responds immediately to the body. Opetaia also goes downstairs.
This has turned into a scrappy wrestling match on the inside.
1-2 goes Opetaia. The left hand from Opetaia is the first big connection in this fight. How will Nyika take it?
Right hook from the defending champion on the bell!
10-9 Opetaia
Darshan Desai
Jai Opetaia and David Nyika in the ring; We're just seconds away from the first bell!
Darshan Desai
Sweet Caroline and National Anthems complete, boxers ready to walk out!
Darshan Desai
Main Event Next: Opetaia vs. Nyika
We're just minutes away from the main event where Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) defends his IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight titles against David Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs).
It's a Trans-Tasman clash as Australia's Opetaia meets New Zealand's Nyika on the Gold Coast.
Darshan Desai
Huni is a "potential world heavyweight champion" says Eddie Hearn
Hearn: "Just keep moving up the governing bodies. I know the Moses Itauma chat with the WBO is a fight that could land for the interim world title. We like that fight, we think it's a great style for Justis. Two tremendous, young heavyweights. No rush, we're going along nicely. He's got plenty of time; he's going to keep improving, he's going to keep getting better and better. We need to position him for a shot at the world heavyweight title and when it comes, we want to to deliver it right here in Australia."
Darshan Desai
Video: Justis Huni stops Shaun Potgieter in the second!
Right hand from Potgieter, Huni pulls back and counters with his own right hand. Potgieter is forced back, that shot seemed to do some damage.
Huni goes for the finish again early in the second. Potgieter is covering up on the ropes, not firing back, and the referee has seen enough. TKO-2 for Huni!
Darshan Desai
Huni vs. Potgieter - Round 1
Huni is targeting the left hook to the body early in round one. He lands a left hook downstairs but Potgieter complains that it was low. The referee gives Potgieter a minute to recover from the shot but the writing could be on the wall already in this one.
Huni steams towards Potgieter as the action restarts. Right hand upstairs followed by a left hook to the body from Huni. The Australian is starting to let his hands go as Potgieter is on the ropes but the South African fires back and momentarily stops the assault.
A pair of left hooks to the head from Huni, followed by a short right hand. Potgieter is in trouble in the final minute of the opener; the referee is taking a closer look.
Right hand goes Huni, Potgieter felt that one. He survives the opening round, but this one won't last much longer!
10-9 Huni
Darshan Desai
Justis Huni edging towards title shot
Aussie fan-favourite Huni is the WBO's No. 5-ranked contender at heavyweight and would move closer to a shot at the WBO heavyweight championship with a win tonight. Huni is a big favourite against Potgieter.
Darshan Desai
Co-Feature: Huni vs. Potgieter
Australian heavyweight contender Justis Huni (11-0, 6 KOs) defends two trinket titles against South Africa's Shaun Potgieter (10-1, 7 KOs) in the Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika co-feature.
Darshan Desai
Video: Max McIntyre wins by technical knockout in round 4
McIntyre unloads with a combination and pushes Saman back. A clean right hand comes at the end of it and DOWN GOES SAMAN in round 4.
A pause in the action as Saman has lost his mouthguard.
McIntyre goes back on the offence, looking for the finish. Saman backs up with his hands high. McIntyre catches him with two brilliant short hooks to the body and DOWN AGAIN is Saman.
Two knockdowns already and still over a minute to go in the fourth.
McIntyre looks confident as he walks Saman down with his hands by his side. A pair of right hands get through and it's proving too much for Saman as he goes down again.
THIS ONE IS OVER! A TKO win for Max McIntyre in round 4 after 3 knockdowns to win the IBF Youth super middleweight title.
Darshan Desai
McIntyre vs. Saman - Round 3
Right hook from Saman up close lands on McIntyre's chin. Best punch of the fight so far from the away fighter.
McIntyre starting to let his hands go more in this round with the right hand. It's not a predictable right hand though as it's always accompanied by a step either to the back or the side or a feint.
Good boxing from McIntyre. The right uppercut looks like it could be the money punch for money Max.
10-9 McIntyre, 30-27 McIntyre
Darshan Desai
McIntyre vs. Saman - Round 2
McIntyre attempts a right uppercut as Saman walks forward recklessly with no regard for defence. Luckily for Saman though, the shot didn't land fully.
A pair of right hands land from McIntyre, a right uppercut followed by a straight right in the closing seconds of round 2.
The fight is being fought at the centre of the ring at the moment, which surely benefits McIntyre who has the longer reach.
10-9 McIntyre, 20-18 McIntyre
Darshan Desai
McIntyre vs. Saman - Round 1
A pair of right hands from McIntyre get through as Saman attempts to close the distance.
Saman attempts the overhand left, but McIntyre gets out of the way of it. Saman is looking for a wide left hand from the southpaw stance.
Left hook from McIntyre connects in the final few seconds of the opener.
10-9 McIntyre
Darshan Desai
Next: McIntyre vs. Saman
Australian super middleweight prospect Max McIntyre (6-0, 5 KOs) steps up to ten rounds to face Abdulselam Saman (8-1, 1 KO) for the IBF Youth title.
Darshan Desai
Mahoney beats Zhang via UD
Australia's Ben Mahoney takes a shutout (100-90 X3) over China's Fan Zhang to win the IBF Pan Pacific super welterweight championship.
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 8
We lost around a minute of the live action as the lights went out in the arena.
Zhang is warned for hitting on the break and apologizes profusely, the referee won't take a point away.
More of the same from Mahoney. Moving laterally and throwing eye-catching punches, particularly with the left hook and the right hand. Zhang looks content with losing a decision as there's been no change in the approach, despite the Chinese boxer knowing that he's a mile behind on the cards.
10-9 Mahoney, 79-73 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 7
Zhang's pressure isn't as ferocious as it was in the earlier rounds. Mahoney is moving and catching Zhang with single eye-catching punches, Zhang responds consistently but is still getting outworked. Zhang hasn't been able to cut off the ring and prevent Mahoney from exiting to the left or right, he is following Mahoney around the ring instead.
Right hand from Mahoney getting through, Zahng isn't fazed by the power though.
10-9 Mahoney, 69-64 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 5
Better round for Ben Mahoney who is going back to boxing and moving. Mahoney landed some eye-catching left hands in the fifth, Zhang was unable to pin Mahoney down for sustained periods in that round.
10-9 Mahoney, 49-46 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 4
Best round of the fight so far for Zhang. Mahoney is catching big punches as he stays in range trying to exchange but the Aussie isn't sitting down on his punches while Zhang is throwing with power.
Mahoney needs to move his feet more and stay out of punching range. Zhang fires at the body, he looks fresher as we come to the closing stages of round 4. Great action fight!
10-9 Zhang, 39-37 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 3
4 fast left hooks from Mahoney, none of them landed clean but it's eye-catching work.
Mahoney is expanding a lot of energy in this contest. Zhang's best work could come later in this fight if Mahoney tires.
Right hand Mahoney. Followed by a left uppercut. Zhang starting to land more but is being outworked by the Australian.
10-9 Mahoney, 30-27 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 2
About a dozen consecutive left hands thrown from Mahoney early in the second, beautiful boxing skill.
Some nice single power punches from Mahoney with the right hand in the second minute as Zhang attempts to close the distance, Mahoney has a very high work rate.
Zhang is caught by a wide backhand and stumbles onto the ropes, the Chinese boxer looked hurt there. Right uppercut follows. Zhang gets out of the way of trouble but a good moment for Ben Mahoney.
10-9 Mahoney, 20-18 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Mahoney vs. Zhang - Round 1
Right uppercut-right hand combination from Mahoney in the opening moments of round one. The Australian prospect is switching the angles of his attack and varying the punches impressively.
Left hook to the torso from Mahoney. A flurry thrown as Zhang is backed up on the ropes. Terrificly-placed left uppercut gets through for Mahoney.
Couple of right hands from Zhang just to remind Mahoney that he's in this contest, but otherwise, it's been a great opener for the Australian.
10-9 Mahoney
Darshan Desai
Next: Mahoney vs. Zhang
Undefeated Australian super welterweight prospect Ben Mahoney (14-0-1, 8 KOs) meets China's Fan Zhang (8-2-1, 5 KOs) for the IBF Pan Pacific championship.
Darshan Desai
Teremoana wants Jalolov rematch down the line!
👀 🇺🇿 JALOLOV-🇦🇺 TEREMOANA IN THE PROS WOULD BE 🔥
Teremoana: "No one wanted to fight me back in Australia so we wanted to come back to the amateurs to build a profile. I was able to go to the world championships last year, ran into (2x Olympic gold medallist Bakhodir Jalolov)… pic.twitter.com/vMEjlGllYA
George Kambosos likely to return on March 22nd in Sydney; Teremoana to feature on undercard!
🚨 KAMBOSOS SET FOR 140 DEBUT THEN HITCHINS
Eddie Hearn has said that the plan is for George Kambosos to headline in March, possibly in Sydney, and then face Richardson Hitchins for the IBF super lightweight title.
Eddie Hearn has said in the post-fight interview that he believes Teremoana will go on to become a future world heavyweight champion. Big praise for the 26-year-old Olympian.
Teremoana Teremoana (5-0, 5 KOs) faces Germany's Osasu Otobo (11-1-1, 5 KOs) over six rounds at heavyweight.
Teremoana represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics and is one of the brightest prospects in heavyweight boxing.
Darshan Desai
Browne beats Gentzen via SD
Shauna Browne (94-95, 97-92, 96-95) wins a split decision over Taylah Gentzen in their clash of unbeatens at super lightweight.
The scorecard in favour of Gentzen was very odd. Even the 96-95 card for Browne was too close. The other judge was spot on with 97-92 Browne.
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Round 10
Right hook from Browne set up by her feints, but Gentzen returns with a 3-punch combination. Browne attempts to respond, however, she is unable to find a clean shot and is met by more sharp punches from Gentzen. A little too late for Gentzen; she needed to use this boxing skill earlier in the contest.
10-9 Gentzen. Final score: 97-92 Browne
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Rounds 8-9
Gentzen is having success but Browne knows that Gentzen can't hurt her, she is just walking through Gentzen's punches to get on the inside and throw her own. Browne has a huge power advantage here, you don't normally see this tactic used in women's boxing.
Regardless, Gentzen is landing some clean, straight punches in round 9. Browne missed wildly with the right hook, it's a better finish from Gentzen.
BRILLIANT right hook from Shauna Browne and down goes Taylah Gentzen. It was a fantastic powerful countering shot on the inside. Gentzen is paying the price for allowing Browne to control the distance and fight her fight.
10-8 Browne, 69-63 Browne
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Round 5
Browne unleashes on Gentzen as Gentzen is backed up on the ropes. Gentzen isn't outclassed by Browne at all, she's just unable to fight the fight that will be successful against Browne. Browne is controlling the action whenever they are up close, Gentzen needs to keep this fight at center ring.
10-9 Browne, 49-46 Browne
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Round 4
Browne carried on her success from round 3 with some nice power shots on the inside and a rare body punch. There's not been much work in the midsection in this contest.
Gentzen is starting to look uncomfortable in the ring with Browne's pressure. Browne is slowly breaking Gentzen down. A right hook from Browne snaps Gentzen's head back. Best connect of this fight from either women.
10-9 Browne, 39-37 Browne
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Round 3
A Left hand Browne is quickly countered by a Gentzen straight right hand.
Gentzen is allowing Browne to close the gap too quickly, she needs to create some distance with her left hand.
Browne has Gentzen against the ropes and is unloading. A short right hook gets through, good moment for Browne.
10-9 Browne, 29-28 Browne
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Round 2
Right hand from Gentzen gets through. A couple of right hooks from Browne up close that land. Gentzen needs to create some distance and counter. Better round for Browne.
10-9 Browne, 19-19
Darshan Desai
Gentzen vs. Browne - Round 1
1-2 from Gentzen is the best connect of the first few seconds. Aggressive intent from Browne, but not landing as much at this point in the contest. Countering shots from Gentzen as Browne marches forward.
10-9 Gentzen
Darshan Desai
Next: Gentzen vs.Browne
Taylah Gentzen (6-0, 3 KOs) clashes with Shauna Browne (4-0, 3 KOs) in a battle of unbeatens at super lightweight over ten rounds.
Darshan Desai
McAllister vs. Towns - Round 2
Right hand-left hook combination from McAllister drops Towns in round 2.
DOWN GOES TOWNS in the final 10 seconds from a McAllister right hand and this one is over as the Towns corner throws in the towel.
McAllister and Towns exchanging jabs at the centre of the ring. A right uppercut from McAllister sneaks past Towns' guard. McAllister focuses on the torso area as Towns is fighting with a high guard.
Left hook from Towns catches McAllister in the second minute of round 1.
A pair of right hands get through for McAllister, a right uppercut followed by a straight right hand.
With no teams left in the playoff, the region's long-running domination of the sport appears to be at an end. So what gives? "It’s different when you can’t say, ‘Next guy up!’ like you used to."
On today's episode of Good Word with Goodwill, Vincent Goodwill is joined by Dan Titus and Ice Young to catch up on the latest NBA headlines regarding the Timberwolves, Knicks, Nuggets and Clippers.
The development of QB Caleb Williams will be a big factor in the decision. But the team will weigh a coach’s offensive background alongside the staff he brings in, the scheme he envisions and the culture he can build.
Grier also said that Hill did not backtrack on his Sunday comments. Hill, meanwhile, switched his social media avatar to a picture of himself in Dolphins gear.
Caroline Fenton, Jason Fitz & Adam Breneman preview the College Football Playoff semifinals this week with Notre Dame vs. Penn State on Thursday in the Orange Bowl and Ohio State vs. Texas on Friday in the Cotton Bowl.
College football’s more professionalized era arrives in July, and historic powerhouses like Ohio State and Texas could lose both their inherent recruiting advantage and their financial edge.
The Commanders are headed for the playoffs and generating excitement rarely seen since the franchise's 1980s and early ‘90s heyday. Is a return to Washington D.C. next?