In today’s audio episode, Anthony Cooks of Ring Magazine joins the show to preview the fight.
Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika
How To Watch: Wednesday, midnight PST, DAZN
Opetaia, the IBF titleholder, is considered the best cruiserweight along with Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. He will face undefeated 2020 Bronze medal Olympian Nyika on Wednesday. Opetaia will look to make his fifth title defense, even though the way that fifth defense came about was a bit odd. Opetaia vacated the IBF title to face Ellis Zorro in 2023. He won the title back in his next fight because the IBF belt had been vacated when he opted to fight Zorro over his mandatory contender Mairis Briedis. He defeated Zorro in a rematch in 2024 to become a two-time IBF titleholder.
Opetaia was originally set to face Huseyin Cinkara, but an injury forced him out. Nyika will be taking it on short notice but is a promising prospect, who sparred Opetaia in the past.
Undercard bouts of note:
Justis Huni vs. Shaun Potgieter
Huni is a heavyweight that Europeans and Australians believe in. He is also managed by Mick Francis, who manages Opetaia.
Teremoana Jnr vs. Osasu Otobo
I see Teremoana Jr as a George Forman type of fighter. He’s a big puncher with skills. This is a stay-busy fight for him after a knockout win in December.
Other Notable Bouts
Boxxer card
How To Watch: Saturday, unsure start time, Peacock
Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall
A regional super middleweight fight.
Caroline Dubois vs. Jessica Camara
Dubois might be a Hall-of-Fame level women’s boxer and Camara is one of the most underrated of her era. This should be a very good fight.
Toro Promotions Fight Card Friday Night in Tacoma, Washington
How To Watch: Unsure
Kingsley Ibeh vs Scott Alexander
Ibeh was a spoiler during his days in the Top Rank Bubble, but ran into Jared Anderson in 2021,
which saw him get stopped. Anderson’s hype skyrocketed to the moon after that. He is now on a winning streak and just stopped Jack May in October in one round. Alexander is a former Thompson
Boxing fighter, who has seen better days, but he can be a tricky fighter.
Austin Brooks vs Rosalindo Morales
Junior lightweight Brooks is good enough to contend but is coming off a June draw to Aram Avagyan. Morales serves as another tricky test.
The Debut of Dedrick Crocklem
According to Boxrec, Top Rank’s recent signee, Crockelm, will turn pro on this card. Crocklem won the Olympic trials in 2023 and he is someone to keep a watchful eye on.
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