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A 'new and improved' David Nyika insists he can take the IBF world cruiserweight title from Jai Opetaia, but Opetaia's camp says his chirping is wearing thin.
David Nyika is set to surprise even himself when he fights for the IBF world cruiserweight title but the manager of defending champion Jai Opetaia has warned him not to keep "poking the bear".
"If he is going to get under Jai's skin, which he is starting to, the fight might not last long. When you poke the bear the bear bites," Francis told AAP.
"I know what Jai is like. Jai is happy to box if he wants to box. If he wants to bang and bring it, then Jai will bang. Jai will find a chink in his armour."
Opetaia defends his world IBF and Ring Magazine titles on Wednesday at a sold-out Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Nyika, 29, was confident of bringing down former sparring partner Opetaia on Monday when he spoke to AAP at Sunday's media day on the Gold Coast.
"I have nothing but respect for Jai. I think he is a great champion. I am going to turn up and do what I do best. That is fight and that is to win," Nyika said.
"I have looked up to him since I was 15. We went to the junior world titles together. He won a gold medal in the 80 kilo division. I was 60 kilos back then.
"Jai doesn't do anything badly so I have to turn up and do what I do best. If I put my best foot forward I will win on the night."
World No.10 Nyika (10-0) and Opetaia (26-0) enter the contest with perfect records.
New Zealander Nyika, who lives west of Brisbane at Gatton, knows this is by far his biggest test yet but is in career-best shape
"What I am happy with is that I don't know what David is going to turn up on the night, because I have never seen this David before," Nyika said.
"This is a new and improved David Nyika. I have never been in this kind of shape before.
"Physically and mentally I am in the best condition I have ever been in. This fight has come at a pretty opportune time for me. I know I am the underdog but this is my time to shine."
The reality is that no-one is expecting Nyika to win.
"Except me," he grinned.
"I have worked 15 years to be the best. I have never looked any lower than the top so this is just second nature to me now."
The stacked card also features unbeaten heavyweight Justis Huni (11-0) against South African Shaun Potgieter (10-1), Australia's Paris Olympian and fellow heavyweight Teremoana Teremoana, super welterweight prospect Ben Mahoney and Leti Leti against Austin Aukoso for the IBF Pan Pacific light heavyweight title.
