IBF cruiserweight champion Jay Obitaya says Davis Nyika is trying to finish what he is trying to achieve in his career, and he won't let him do that on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, in Australia.
The drained-looking Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) seemed somewhat surprised by the intensity shown by Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) as she faced off at the weight. He believes Nika, 29, plans things at home in advance, which is not his style.
The challenger is trying to gain the advantage to win his fight because he knows he is facing what many fans believe is the king of the middleweight division. Nyika doesn't have the experience or hype around his career like Opetaia, but that doesn't mean he can't win.
“He's trying to eliminate me.”
He catches up with Jay at the perfect time, as he is starting to show the nerves of making weight and having a tough rematch with former IBF cruiserweight champion Meres Briedis last year in May. Nyika has the size, strength and desire to win this fight if he can beat Opetaia.
“I wasn't expecting it either. That was a little bit of it. I know this kid comes home and plans things out in his head for what to say. Who knows? I don't give a f***,” Jay Opetaia said King of Boxing Mediatalks about his lightweight confrontation with David Nica.
“I've never offended anyone. I've never talked about anyone. I said I live here. This is what I do. I talk about myself. I've never offended anyone. He's still a good guy, but he's very strong out there. We have a lot of pressure on ourselves.”
“This is his chance, and he's trying to finish what I'm trying to do. So, it's all on the line. I don't know, man. That's a weird thing to hear,” Obitaya said when told that some people said his “aura gives them chills.”
An aura of intimidation
Nikka wanted to show that he was not intimidated by Obitaya like the others, which is why he was standing up to him, to let him know that he would come to win this fight. He expects a knockout win, and it will be interesting to see if he can do that against Jay. If he does, it will upset Obitaya and his promoter Eddie Hearn's plans for a fight against Gilberto “Zordo” Ramirez and Oleksandr Usyk.
“I'm just focusing on myself, trying to win these fights and move on in life. I hope it's a good chill and makes you ditch your a** and do something,” Obitaya said.
“I met Mike Tyson. I have too much respect for Mike Tyson to put myself through that, and it gives me chills. So, what does that say? So, I don't know what to say,” Obitaya said.
