JAI OPETAIA scored a very early contender for Knockout of The Year following his brutal stoppage over David Nyika.
The Aussie defended his IBF cruiserweight title Down Under against rival Nyika on the Gold Coast.
GettyJai Opetaia knocked out David Nyika[/caption]
Gettyhe retained his cruiserweight titles[/caption]
And a thrilling bout came to a crashing halt in round four after Opetaia landed a stunning right uppercut.
Somehow, Nyika made it to his feet but a left hand sent him tumbling to the canvas face-first and out for the count.
Opetaia – who like Nyika formerly sparred Tyson Fury – retained his title and called out WBA and WBO champ Gilberto Ramirez to a unification.
He said: “Ramirez, I’m coming for the belts. We’re coming for the rest of those belts.”
Ramirez, 33, is coming off a big points win over Brit Chris Billam-Smith, 34, to add the WBO to his WBA title.
But despite Opetaia’s plans to unify the 200lb titles – fans were more bothered about having him fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
One said: “Jake Paul should fight this fella. He said he wants to fight for a cruiserweight belt.”
Another added: “Give Jake Paul next.a boxer same weight, same age.”
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One joked: “He’s ready for Jake Paul, the uncrowned king of Cruiserweight.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn wants Opetaia to become undisputed champ at cruisweright before moving up to challenge Oleksandr Usyk, 37.
He said: “Jai is going to pick up all the belts in the cruiserweight division to become undisputed.
“And then we want to push him into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk as well to try and become undisputed at heavyweight as well.
“You have to search for greatness, he’s good enough to do it.
“I believe he’s the only person now in the division, cruiserweight or heavyweight that can genuinely give Oleksandr Usyk a real, real fight.
“But to do it, we have to pick up every belt in the cruiswerweight division first.
GettyFans want Opetaia to fight Jake Paul[/caption]
ReutersOleksandr Usyk is another option for Opetaia to fight[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
