Boxing Challenge

     January is usually a slow month for boxing, especially in the first part of the month but the year starts in the AM with the top cruiserweight in the world defending his title.

IBF champion Jai Opetaia was originally scheduled to face his mandatory challenger, unknown Huseyin Cinkara before Cinkara pulled out of the fight with an ankle injury.

The unbeaten but thirty-nine years old Cinkara's resume is dreadful to be generous and this may be a rare case of the replacement being an upgrade over the original opponent as unbeaten David Nyika of New Zealand, a former Olympian, will be stepping in to meet Opetaia.

Nyika has two decent wins on his slate, knocking out unbeaten Michael Sietz and veteran Tommy Karpency last year, and adding the always-interesting angle of Australia vs New Zealand to the fight has improved the anticipation for this one from Australia's Gold Coast.

In his last fight, Opietaia battered England's Jack Massey into submission in October, forcing Massey's corner to toss the towel in round six.

Opetaia has made noise about moving up in weight soon. However, it's more likely to see the Australian meet WBA and WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez in a unification bout before that would happen.

IBF Cruiserweight Title. 12 Rds 

Jai Opetaia vs David Nyika

Ramon Malpica: Opetaia KO 7
TRS: Opetaia KO 5
Vince Samano: Opetaia KO 2