Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika: Live round-by-round updates

The Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika round-by-round updates are here. They provide real-time coverage and live scoring of the upcoming cruiserweight world title fight, headlining an event scheduled for a 3:00 AM E.T. (Eastern Time) / 12:00 AM P.T. (Pacific Time) / 6:00 PM A.E.S.T. (Australian Eastern Standard Time) start time.

Meanwhile, the fight itself is estimated to take place at 8:20 AM E.T. / 5:20 AM P.T. / 11:20 PM A.E.S.T. It is a momentous occasion, marking the first major boxing event since the holiday break, and is of tremendous importance to both headliners for various reasons.

First, Opetaia and Nyika are undefeated, with the former being 26-0 and the other being 10-0. Despite Nyika's lack of professional experience, he has an outstanding amateur boxing background, having even captured Olympic bronze. Furthermore, the DAZN event will be Nyika's first crack at a true world championship.

Opetaia's IBF cruiserweight title will be on the line, and despite Nyika's size and power advantage, he is expected to lose the bout. The oddsmakers at DraftKings Sportsbook list Opetaia as a -1000 favorite, while Nyika is a +650 underdog. However, boxing is nothing if not the home of upsets.

Follow Sportskeeda for play-by-play analysis and live scoring of the cruiserweight title fight.

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Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika

Round 1: The round begins with both men swinging and ending up in a brief clinch. They break and Nyika lands a lightning-fast body jab. He throws a second, but Opetaia's wise to it. A furious combination half-lands for Opetaia, but Nyika's defense proves competent.

A big right hand lands for Opetaia. Meanwhile, Nyika unloads to the body, backing the champion up to the ropes, who lands his own hard body shots. They make their way back to the center, and Opetaia lands an overhand left, but Nyika bullies him to the ropes, landing a short uppercut on the inside.

They break and trade. Now the champion is on the front foot, landing to the body and the head, appearing to briefly stun Nyika. They clinch again, and Opetaia blasts his foe to the body, before breaking from the clinch with a right hand. 10-9 Opetaia

Round 2: A missed right straight opens the round for Nyika. Opetaia lands a right and a left. As Nyika tries to gain some respect, he's sniped by a counter from Opetaia. Lots of feints from Opetaia, who is looking for openings. He throws a hard left hook, but narrowly misses. Nyika with a good uppercut.

They clinch and the referee breaks them up. They trade body shots and clinch again. A body jab lands for Nyika. Opetaia lands a partial combination, and they clinch once more, battering each other with dirty boxing. A blistering one-two lands for Opetaia, and Nyika tries ot answer back in kind, but his accuracy is lacking.

The round ends with Nyika surviving against the ropes. 10-9 Opetaia

Round 3: Both men are eager to impose themselves. But landing clean proves difficult. Nevertheless, Opetaia cracks Nyika with a right hand that brieifly stumbles him. However, no serious damage has yet been dealt. Opetaia looking like the fresher and sharper fighter.

They clinch, but the referee separates them immediately. Opetaia continues pressuring Nyika, landing to the body and head, alternating his targets. However, Nyika quickly asserts himself, pressuring Opetaia toward the ropes. They bite down on their mouthpeices and start trading.

Opetaia gets backed up to the ropes, and seems to be tiring as well as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Opetaia

Round 4: Reinvigorated, Opetaia backs Nyika up, landing a right hand and a big left as a follow-up. He lands another big shot, but Nyika's chin is proving itself worthy. Opetaia lands a jab to the body. Nyika engages him in a pocket boxing exchange, and Opetaia dismantles him with combinations.

They clinch, and as they break, Opetaia crushes Nyika with an uppercut, sending him crumpling to the mat. Nyika manages to stand and beat the count, but Opetaia pounces with a combination that knocks him out cold against the ropes! The fight's over. Minutes later and Nyika is still unconscious. He's finally up. Scary sight.

Official Decision: Jai Opetaia def. David Nyika via knockout in round four (2:17)