World IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia always knew he would fight his former sparring partner David Nyika and says he is ready for what he calls "a huge" bout on January 8.
If Opetaia wins at the Gold Coast Convention Centre and defends his IBF and Ring Magazine world title, it will open up all kinds of doors for the 29-year-old Australian.
His manager Mick Francis has Opetaia slated to take on Mexico’s world WBA and WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez in the ultimate unification battle.
Opetaia, who hasn't fought in Australia for more than two years, has a long-term goal to move up to the heavyweight division and duel Oleksandr Usyk for the world heavyweight title.
"I’m not worried about any of that. I have a fight in three days and I’ve got a job to do," Opetaia told AAP.
"I’m not looking past that. Until I get past that, it is all talk. We are always levelling up and looking for bigger fights but we must get our hand raised on the 8th."
The undefeated Opetaia (26-0) and Nyika (10-0) have known each other for more than a decade, and were once regular sparring partners before a duel seemed inevitable.
Nyika, 29, has always looked up to Opetaia. The psychology of the fight does not bother Opetaia.
"It is what it is and I’m not thinking too far into it to be honest. It’s the sport we live in," Opetaia said.
"This is huge. David has been on my radar for a while. He is a top cruiserweight and I always knew our paths would cross. It has happened a bit earlier than I thought.
"This guy is trying to take what’s mine but I am ready. This is when we flick the switch and get serious."
Nyika told AAP he was confident of springing an upset and that the boxing world would know who he was after January 8.
That confidence did not surprise Opetaia who pointed to all the well-wishers and cameras at a media day on the Gold Coast on Sunday to promote the fight to make a point.
"All these pats on the back, all the cameras and all the interviews and all the followers on Instagram ... it means nothing," Opetaia said.
"When we are boxing in the ring we have to believe in ourselves because we are all alone. (Nyika) has to believe in himself."
The stacked card also features unbeaten heavyweight Justis Huni (11-0) against South African Shaun Potgieter (10-1), Australia's Paris Olympian and fellow heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana, super welterweight prospect Ben Mahoney and Leti Leti against Austin Aukoso for the IBF Pan Pacific lightheavyweight title.
