Opetaia, Nyika Facing Battle For Usyk Shot

Oleksandr Usyk's announced return to cruiserweight has set up a potential showdown between unified champion Jai Opetaia and fellow Australian David Nyika, with the winner in line to face the former undisputed cruiserweight king.

Usyk, who vacated his cruiserweight titles in 2019 after cleaning out the division, recently confirmed plans to drop back down from heavyweight. The Ukrainian's decision reportedly creates a collision course with the current top contenders at 200 pounds, according to ESPN.

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Australian Cruiserweights Eye Usyk Payday

Opetaia holds multiple cruiserweight straps and has defended his titles with authority since winning the IBF belt in 2022. Nyika, an Olympic bronze medalist transitioning to the professional ranks, represents an emerging threat in the division.

The former heavyweight champion's move has drawn playful reaction from the Australian boxing scene. Opetaia's camp extended a tongue-in-cheek invitation for Usyk to stage the fight in Gatton, a rural Queensland town far from the sport's traditional power centers.

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Usyk previously dominated cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight, where he defeated Anthony Joshua twice and outpointed Tyson Fury to become undisputed champion. A matchup with either Australian would mark his first cruiserweight bout in over five years.

Reported via:

• ESPN Boxing — Opetaia, Nyika facing potential battle for right to face Usyk