JAI OPATAIA makes a very early contender for Knockout of the Year after his brutal stoppage over David Heroica.
The Australian defends his IBF cruiserweight title against rival Nyika in the Gold Coast.
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And an exciting fight came to a screeching halt in the fourth round after Opetaia landed a spectacular right uppercut.
Somehow, Nika got to his feet but a left hand dropped him to the canvas and out for the count.
Opetaia – who like Nyika had previously defeated Tyson Fury – retained his title and called for a unification against WBA and WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez.
He said: “Ramirez, I’m coming for the belt. We’re coming for the rest of the belts.”
Ramirez, 33, looks to add the WBO to his WBA title with a dominant points victory over 34-year-old Briton Chris Billam-Smith.
But despite Opetaia’s plans to unify the 200lb titles – fans were more concerned about him fighting YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul.
One said: “Jake Paul should fight this guy. He said he wants to fight for the cruiserweight belt.”
Another said: “Give Jake Paul the next one. Same weight as a boxer, same age.”
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One joked: “He’s ready for Jake Paul, the uncrowned king of cruiserweights.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn wants Opetaia to become undisputed champion at cruiserweight before moving up to challenge 37-year-old Oleksandr Usyk.
He said, “Jay is going to get all the belts in the cruiserweight division to become undisputed.
“And then we also want to push him into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk to try to become undisputed at heavyweight as well.
“You have to search for greatness, he’s good enough to do that.
“I believe he is the only guy now in the division, cruiserweight or heavyweight, that can really give Oleksandr Usyk a real, genuine fight.
“But to do that, we first have to lift every belt in the cruiserweight division.”
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