What happens when you go toe-to-toe with a 'monster'

Perth Now

3 days ago

Good luck going toe-to-toe with a "monster".
Jai Opetaia's most recent victim has offered a chilling warning to the Australian's Italian title challenger as he prepares for his own ring return.
David Nyika, New Zealand's former Olympic silver medallist and flag bearer, was humbled in a furious Gold Coast slugfest that left him bloodied and sprawled on the canvas in January.
The 29-year-old (10-1) will return to the ring against countryman Nik Charalampous (23-6-2) on the Paul Gallen-Sonny Bill Williams card in Sydney on July 16.
In a cautious return from concussion, Nyika is yet to complete heavy sparring but is confident and reflective after those ferocious four rounds with the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion.
"I had my fingers crossed for rounds six, seven, eight ... predicting a later stoppage because I knew he was going to be an absolute monster for four to six rounds," Nyika told AAP.
"I was just trying to be sensible, but not doing a great job of it.
"The old saying, everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face ... but for me, I got buzzed right off the bell by a head clash.
"He's the man and the guy to beat and nothing changes - I still want to knock his head off the block.
"It was good to get a full re-set, but I'm back now, A-OK and putting a target on July 16."
Opetaia (27-0) faces the unbeaten Claudio Squeo (17-0) on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
He hopes a blockbuster unification clash with Gilberto Ramirez in Las Vegas later this year is next.
The Australian is wary, though, not expecting Squeo to heed Nyika's warning despite only two of Opetaia's last eight fights going beyond six rounds.
"He's dangerous; there's no mystery to what this guy's going to try to do," Opetaia said.
"(He will) walk forward and try to take my head off.
"He's been icing people, knocking them out cold. His game plan will be to go forward and throw bombs, because he obviously can't box with me.
"It's serious - for a world title - so in no way am I taking it lightly."
The pair faced off for the first time on Wednesday on the Gold Coast and will complete public workouts at Pacific Fair shopping centre on Thursday night.
The Convention Centre card also features Brisbane-based Irish light heavyweight world title prospect Conor Wallace, rejuvenated super welterweight Ben Mahoney, and entertaining Paris Olympic heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana.