David Nyika is set to fight for a world cruiserweight title against Jai Opetaia after a chance arose when the original opponent pulled out. The New Zealand boxer will be the fourth from his trainer Noel Thornberry's gym to fight for a world title.
Everything was in order ahead of David Nyika 's Friday-night sell-out at the Gatton Shire Hall until Noel Thornberry called the caterer.Alarm bells rang when there was an awkward silence at the other end of the line. The chef eventually admitted to Nyika's trainer, manager and promoter that he thought the fight was on Saturday.Hours later, the beef cheeks were served tender, like Waikato Falefehi's ribs after Nyika had finished him inside two rounds to move to 7-0.
If all goes to plan for Nyika on Wednesday, the 600 who had gathered in Gatton last July will be able to say they were there that night watching a future world champion. The 29-year-old, now 10-0, will fight IBF and The Ring cruiserweight strap holder Jai Opetaia (26-0) on the Gold Coast.opened the door for Nyika to take the fight on three weeks' notice and bring to life a salivating trans-Tasman title fight between two familiar foes.But Thornberry has been anticipating the moment ever since he took charge of the Tokyo Games bronze medallist, two-time Commonwealth Games champion and New Zealand's Olympic flag-bearer three years ago. 'Here we were struggling to get an opponent to fight on the card at all, now we are in the main event in the other corner,' Thornberry said. 'Opportunity sometimes doesn't knock twice, but somebody like David will always create opportunities and he seizes on them. 'Over the years, we've missed a lot of opportunities with guys not keeping themselves in the shape they should be. 'Dave's not that guy. He's always ready to go and is the most professional athlete I've had anything to do with.'Australia's Alex Leapai has been knocked out in the fifth round of his world heavyweight title bout against Wladimir Klitschko. He will now be the fourth boxer out of Thornberry's humble backyard boxing gym to fight for a world title — heavyweight Alex Leapai's clash with Wladimir Klitschko 11 years ago, the most notabl
Boxing World Championship David Nyika Jai Opetaia New Zealand
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