Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika prediction: Picking the winner for the cruiserweight title fight

The Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika predictions are here to provide eager fans of the upcoming boxing card with some insight into its bouts. The event is headlined by a cruiserweight matchup between Opetaia and Nyika, with the former defending his IBF belt against a hungry, undefeated challenger.

Elsewhere, at heavyweight, Justis Huni puts his undefeated record on the line against South Africa's Shaun Potgieter, with both men competing for the WBO Global and IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight titles. More championship action takes place across the card, with three other regional title bouts.

With so many fights booked for Jan. 8, who is expected to emerge victorious come fight night?

---

#1. IBF Cruiserweight Title: Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika

The Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika fight will be a meeting between two undefeated fighters. Opetaia, though, is more accomplished at the professional level, reigning as the IBF cruiserweight champion with a 26-0 record. Meanwhile, Nyika has a much younger record at 10-0.

However, what he lacks in professional experience, he more than makes up for with his amateur background, training with heavyweight standouts like Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker en route to capturing an Olympic bronze medal. But how does this play into his bout with Opetaia?

Opetaia is the more skilled boxer, with far more experience going the full 12 rounds. Nyika is powerful and will boast a significant size advantage once their fight takes place. Unfortunately for him, his cardio is an open question, as he has never been past round five.

While it's feasible that Nyika could catch Opetaia with a big shot and win by TKO or even an outright knockout, the more likely outcome is Opetaia outboxing him in a shutout after Nyika starts fading in the later rounds.

The Prediction: Jai Opetaia via unanimous decision

---

#2. The rest of the Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika winners

Winners in bold.

WBO Global and IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight title: Justis Huni vs. Shaun Potgieter

IBF Youth super middleweight title: Max McIntyre vs. Abdulselam Saman

IBF Pan Pacific super welterweight title: Ben Mahoney vs. Fan Zhang

IBF Pan Pacific light heavyweight title: Austin Aokuso vs. Leti Leti

Light heavyweight: Billy McAllister vs. Jordan Towns

Unspecified: Taylah Gentzen vs. Shauna Browne

Super featherweight: Tony Ingram vs. Runqi Zhou

Heavyweight: Teremoana Junior vs. Osasu Otobo

Light heavyweight: Xavier Fletcher vs. Freddy Doidoi

Unspecified: Albert Tu'ua vs. Kodi Shallali