Jai Opetaia has knocked David Nyika out to defend his IBF and the Ring world cruiserweight title belts in a brutal Gold Coast homecoming.

The local favourite looked to be in a fight with the late-call up from New Zealand, who took the contest on just three weeks’ notice and showed tremendous intent in an even first three rounds.

But an Opetaia uppercut in the fourth round floored Nyika, who fought on only to be knocked out seconds later by a right hook and left uppercut combination that left him still on the canvas for several minutes.

It was Opetaia’s first fight in Australia since July 2022, when he broke his jaw twice but still found a way to upset Latvian champion Mairis Briedis and first win the belts.

‘David, thank you… he gave me a dog fight, I respect that,’ Opetaia said.

‘He slugged it out… he kept coming forward, he kept punching, thank you David.’ 

Jai Opetaia (left) secured a huge knockout victory against David Nyika (right) on Wednesday

Opetaia secured the victory in the fourth round, producing a bruising uppercut to send his opponent to the canvas

Victory, Opetaia’s 27th from as many starts, sets up a potential unification with Mexican star Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who holds both the WBA and WBO straps, later this year.

‘Ramirez, I’m coming for your belts,’ Opetaia said.

‘I’ve been waiting for this fight for a long time. I’m coming.’ 

Nyika walked out of the ring to a round of applause, the loss his first in an 11th professional start for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist.

While Opetaia called out Ramirez, Eddie Hearn had previously claimed that his fighter was the only person in the sport who could trouble Oleksandr Usyk. 

While unlikely at this stage, the Australian boxer would need to step up a weight, unify the cruiserweight division and convince Usyk’s team and boxing’s match-makers that the bout would be worthwhile, according to Hearn. 

‘He’s probably the only guy who I think can truly compete with Usyk,’ Hearn said in the lead up to the fight.

Victory, Opetaia’s (pictured) 27th from as many starts, sets up a potential unification with Mexican star Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez

‘But he’s got to prove his credentials against the entire division.’

‘Look at what Usyk did… at this stage he wants the money fights,’ Hearn continued. 

‘So if we can convince the likes of His Excellency that Opetaia against Usyk is a classic, then maybe it’ll happen,’ Hearn said.

‘He’s got to win (against Nyika), then hopefully he can unify the division.’