Latest news with #Nyika
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
What happens when you go toe-to-toe with a 'monster'
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. 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. 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.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
What happens when you go toe-to-toe with a 'monster'
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.
West Australian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
What happens when you go toe-to-toe with a 'monster'
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.
1News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
'If I can't beat him, I should retire' - Nyika's next opponent named
David Nyika will make his comeback from his devastating knockout loss against Jai Opetaia six months ago against Nik Charalampous — an Aucklander who today described the Kiwi Olympian as "overrated". The man known within New Zealand boxing circles as "Nik the Greek" said that for effect in a press conference today but will almost certainly believe the opposite. The 32-year-old Charalampous, a fulltime boxing coach who has a 23-6-2 record as a professional and went the full 10 rounds against the now cruiserweight world champion Opetaia six years ago, is too experienced to truly think that. "I've known David for a long time," Charalampous told 1News. "We've done heaps of sparring over the years. We know each other very well. It would have been nice to have been given 10 weeks' notice for the fight, but I have been consistently training so my body is ready to go into that next gear." ADVERTISEMENT Charalampous, a father of a 12-year-old daughter and 17-month-old son, last week signed off on the fight, to be on the undercard of the Sonny Bill Williams v Paul Gallen main event grudge match in Sydney on July 16. His last fight in a high-profile event was on the undercard of the Nyika v Tommy Karpency main event in Auckland in September last year. Charalampous's opponent was former All Black Liam Messam and the result was a draw, but he arrived out of shape at 107kg and there is no doubt he will take this assignment against a former Commonwealth Games gold medallist far more seriously, albeit at catchweight. (He is likely to tip the scales at around 95kg, with Nyika likely to make the cruiserweight limit of 90.72kg.) Nik Charalampous knows the odds are against him. (Source: Photosport) His defeat by decision in Sydney to Australian-Samoan Opetaia — widely considered the best cruiserweight in the world — remains one of his best achievements in the ring. "I just remember before the fight watching the highlights of him knocking everyone out," Charalampous said. "I was pretty nervous… I'm happy I lasted the 10 rounds with him. I'm not going to be a world champion or anything but when I talk to my grandkids or people I train with, I can say I fought some of the best of my generation." ADVERTISEMENT For his part, Nyika, who was viciously knocked out in the fourth round by Opetaia on the Gold Coast in January after taking the world title fight on short notice, left no doubt about his goal. "If I can't get past Nik I should probably retire," Nyika, now 10-1 as a professional, said. "It won't be an easy fight. I know what Nik is capable of and how much trouble he's given the top guys. For me, it's very much an opportunity to prove what I can do. If I can't stop Nik, it won't be a success for me but, if I lose the fight, it makes it a very hard comeback. "My eyes are still set on the world title and that re-match with Jai… the setback is just another ingredient to the stew. We have so much further to go. "It's not easy to come back from a loss and this was a big loss. This is my livelihood and a big part of my identity today… it's a big step towards the ultimate goal of becoming a world champion." Charalampous, who recently took several of his boxers to Golden Gloves success, is a classic journeyman comeback opponent for a world-class fighter who has suffered a setback. His relatively late signing is also an indication that few potential opponents were willing to sign on for the money on offer, but promoter David Higgins today said he thought Charalampous would do his job well. ADVERTISEMENT The initial plan was for Nyika, who revealed recently to 1News that he couldn't remember being knocked out by Opetaia in the IBF world title fight, to make his comeback on the Gold Coast this month. "Nik is tough," Higgins said. "He's very durable – he's never been put down by a punch. He's very experienced and is used to being on the big stage." Nyika's trainer Noel Thornberry thought the same. "David needs rounds – he's never been past five rounds and Nik could be the one to provide them," he said. "There's no time like ring time."
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
How recent interest rate cuts are alleviating post-pandemic inflation in the property market
With the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) might cutting interest rates, it was decreasing borrowing costs and potentially increasing demand in the property market. Image: Leon Lestrade. While the current interest rates are still more than double what they were during the pandemic, the ongoing reductions signal to the property sector that post-pandemic inflationary pressures are easing and that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) is actively encouraging investment. On Thursday, the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut the interest rates, dropping by 0.25%, taking the repo rate to 7.25% and the prime lending rate to 10.75%. They anticipated that those who adopted a wait-and-see approach over the past year, delaying home purchases or portfolio expansions, would now view this as a favourable time to commit, according to Dr Farai Nyika, an academic at the Management College of Southern Africa (MANCOSA) He said that in addition to the monthly savings on instalment payments resulting from lower interest rates, landlords are also feeling optimistic. 'The previous tightening cycle since the pandemic had placed significant pressure on renters (who are heavily indebted), and the current environment offers some much-needed relief, and it will be easier to collect rentals,' Nyika said. He said that they also anticipated an expansion in property construction and an increase in rental stock coming online over the next year, driven by improved credit extension to investors resulting from lower interest rates-particularly in the Western Cape. 'That province's property market has proven to be highly resilient despite the rate hikes of recent years. However, the current rate cut will not necessarily lead to rental increases below the inflation rate. "This is because demand for property in the Western Cape remains intense, fuelled by the province's desirable lifestyle, quality of services, and growing interest from digital nomads who compete with locals for housing. In short, we foresee a mini property boom over at least the next two years.' With regards to other provinces, Nyika said they expected greater stability, especially in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. He said these provinces face distinct challenges - outmigration in the Eastern Cape, which puts downward pressure on house prices, and natural disasters in KwaZulu-Natal. 'Lower interest rates will certainly support ongoing rebuilding efforts in KwaZulu-Natal following the floods experienced over the past three years.' The property sector also received this rate cut as a welcome boost, particularly as many municipalities have announced their annual tariff and rate hikes. The property sector will welcome the news of a resumption of the Reserve Bank's rate-cutting cycle; however, the 25 basis points reduction indicates that the prime rate remains significantly higher than it was before Covid, when inflation levels were also elevated, according to Dr Roelof Botha, an economist and advisor to the Optimum Investment Group. He said the BetterBond Index of home loan applications remains much lower than before the restrictive monetary policy kicked in at the end of 2021. 'A significant percentage of residential property sales are related to owners who cannot afford the sharp increase in the debt service costs/disposable income ratio, which is still 33% higher than at the beginning of 2022. The past three years have witnessed a relentless rise in the prime rate (via the repo rate), despite the complete absence of demand inflation,' Botha said. He said that with the current real prime rate (prime minus inflation) at a level of 156% higher than the average during the tenure of Gill Marcus, the previous Governor of the Reserve Bank, it is clear that the buyer's market will remain intact in the property sector. Interest rates will have to be lowered faster and more aggressively before a meaningful recovery can be expected in the property market, he added. The economist warned that unless the economy manages to recoup the loss of 245 000 jobs that occurred in the first quarter of this year, it would be tantamount to self-inflicted economic sabotage if the MPC does not continue with its rate-cutting cycle, which he said is progressing at a snail's pace. The benefit to the property sector is gradual, as a significant portion of South African debt is hedged at high rates, with the full earnings benefit materialising when interest rate swaps or caps mature and are renewed at lower rates, according to Ridwaan Loonat, a senior analyst for Property at Nedbank. 'The SARB has also implicitly announced its preference for a 3% inflation target. If this target is reached, then this could potentially see another 125bps of cuts in this cycle. We forecast another 25bps cut in July 2025,' Loonat said. The Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) decision to cut interest rates was largely anticipated and underscores a greater emphasis on domestic fundamentals, according to Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, a senior economist at FNB. He said inflation remains below the bottom of the inflation target range and high-frequency data reflects a weak start to 2025 from a productive sector perspective, which will be worsened by faltering global prospects. He added that ultimately, the macroeconomic outlook is benign, providing ample space for a continued cutting cycle. 'That said, the impact of heightened uncertainty on investor confidence and capital flows will likely continue to drive gyrations in capital and currency markets, exacerbating external vulnerabilities and keeping the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) cautious. "Furthermore, South Africa's difficult fiscal trajectory is delaying any improvements in sovereign risk and borrowing costs. The outlook on interest rates will continue to reflect these risks. "Should muted local inflation, and expectations that the Fed will resume its cutting cycle before year-end prevail, our current view that another 25bps cut is probable this year would be supported,' Mkhwanazi said. The MPC's decision to cut the interest rate by 25 basis points is a welcome relief for consumers and is expected to bolster homeowner sentiment, according to Nondumiso Ncapai, the managing executive at Absa Home Loans. She said the recent Absa overall homeowner sentiment index showed a slight decline in the overall homeowner confidence by 2 percentage points to 85% in the first quarter of this year. 'This rate cut is expected to improve affordability for current and aspiring homeowners; however, consumers' finances remain strained in the short term, with time needed for consumers to gradually recover financially. "Absa's baseline view is for one further interest rate cut of 25bp at the July MPC however, the ongoing global policy and economic uncertainty will remain top of mind for the MPC,' Ncapai said. Nyika said it is still a bit early to say with certainty what the outcome of the next MPC announcement will be in three months. At this stage, he said he was undecided on whether there would be a further interest rate cut or if rates would remain unchanged. He said this uncertainty stemmed from two main factors: US President Donald Trump's global tariff hikes and the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 'The tariff increases could have a deflationary and potentially recessionary impact on the global economy. If that materialises, the South African Reserve Bank may opt to cut rates further to support a weakening economy. "Additionally, if South Africa loses its AGOA status within the next three months, the Reserve Bank may also be prompted to cut rates in response to the resulting economic strain. However, if neither of these scenarios occurs, I expect interest rates to remain unchanged. "Governor (Lesetja) Kganyago is generally regarded as hawkish, so I would not be surprised," Nyika said. Independent Media Property
