David Nyika will be the underdog when he fights defending champion Jai Opetaia for the world IBF cruiserweight title with three weeks notice but he won't die wondering.
"I’m preparing to shock the world on January 8," Nyika told AAP.
The showdown at Gold Coast Convention Centre pits Opetaia (26-0) against world No.10 Nyika (10-0) after Opetaia's initial challenger, Germany's world No.1 Huseyin Cinkara, suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of action for three months.
Nyika is a part-time caretaker of apartments in Gatton, west of Brisbane, and was changing the blades of a lawnmower and about to mow the lawn when he spoke to AAP about his plan to "mow down" Gold Coast-based Opetaia.
"That's a pretty good headline," he chuckled, revealing his own skill as a promoter.
“I haven’t been an underdog in a long time but that’s where I thrive. I have always loved stepping into other people’s backyards and silencing their supporters and fans. “With a guy like Jai, you have got someone who is second to none with his boxing prowess and background. He has got everything in his favour with the form he is in."
In an ideal world, Nyika said he would have given himself 12 weeks of preparation to take on a southpaw like Opetaia.
"The way I have approached this fight is that there is no time like the present," Nyika said.
"I feel like I’m coming into my physical prime. It is one of those opportunities where I wouldn’t forgive myself if I let someone else take it.
"Boxing is a sport where you are never guaranteed another shot. I consider this my only option. I probably took all of five seconds to accept the offer." Since he got the call-up he has put in 12 sessions, including sparring and fitness. He sparred 12 rounds on Saturday.
Opetaia and Nyika, both 29, were also once sparring partners. “We have shared the ring for 30 or 40 rounds. I’ve known him since 2011, so for 13 years I’ve looked up to him," Nyika said.
"Jai won gold at the junior world championships in Kazakhstan where I was also competing under the New Zealand flag. He’s always been someone I’ve looked up to as a fighter and athlete. The opportunity to fight the guy is amazing."
On Sunday morning, Nyika was watching the Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight showdown in Saudi Arabia on TV and Opetaia was at ringside being interviewed and promoting his upcoming IBF world title fight.
Yet Nyika’s name was not uttered. It was just fuel for the fire. “They forgot to mention his opponent’s name. I thought that was an interesting take on promoting a fight," Nyika said.
"It was just a quick segment between rounds but it was borderline disrespectful. I’ll make sure when Jai gets out of the ring that everybody knows my name. "I am really excited. I don’t feel overawed by the event and I think I’m going to shock a lot of people on the night. "I’ve got an awesome Kiwi contingent in Australia and I’ve got friends and family coming over. This little country town Gatton, where I now call home, is rallying right behind me."
