Aussie boxer Jai Opetaia’s world title fight on the Gold Coast has been marred by a wild brawl that broke out among spectators on Wednesday night.
The cruiserweight defended his IBF and The Ring crowns with a fourth-round knockout of New Zealand’s David Nyika but there was another clash in the stands before the main event, with several men filmed as they threw heavy punches at each other.
In footage posted to X, a fight fan in a white T-shirt is seen trying to fight back as he’s punched by two men, one of whom puts him in a headlock and wrestles him to the ground.
Another man is seen on the ground behind them wrestling with a spectator while a third individual appears to be trying to break it up.
‘There was a disturbance at around 9.30pm. Police were already in attendance and separated the people involved,’ Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia.
‘They were evicted from the venue. No complaint has been received, so there will be no further action from police.’
Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia several men were thrown out of the Jai Opetaia fight night at the Gold Coast Convention Centre after engaging in a shocking brawl (pictured)
Inside the ring, Opetaia (left) dished out a savage knock out of David Nyika (right) to boost his reputation as one of the best fighters on the planet
Inside the ring, Opetaia continued to boost his standing as one of the best fighters on the planet with a vicious finish to his bout.
An Opetaia short right in the fourth round floored Nyika, who fought on only to be hit again seconds later by a right hook.
Opetaia didn’t miss his chance with Nyika hanging on the ropes, landing a left hook on the challenger’s chin that sent him crashing to the floor and left him lying still on the canvas for several minutes.
It was Opetaia’s first fight in Australia since July 2022, when he broke his jaw twice but still found a way to upset Latvian champion Mairis Briedis and first win the belts.
Nyika walked slowly out of the ring to a round of applause, the loss his first in an 11th professional start for the Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist.
‘David, thank you … he gave me a dog fight, I respect that,’ Opetaia said.
‘He slugged it out … he kept coming forward, he kept punching, thank you David.’
The Aussie’s fourth-round stoppage win left Nyika motionless on the canvas for several minutes – and had famed promoter Eddie Hearn touting him as the only man who can stop world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk
The victory, Opetaia’s 27th from as many starts, sets up a potential unification with Mexican star Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez, who holds both the WBA and WBO straps, later this year.
‘Ramirez, I’m coming for your belts,’ Opetaia said.
‘I’ve been waiting for this fight for a long time. I’m coming.’
Opetaia’s British promoter Eddie Hearn tipped his cap to ‘future world champion’ Nyika before repeating his claims that the ‘savage’ Australian is the only man capable of challenging undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
‘He [Nyika] came up against not just the best fighter in Australia, but one of the best fighters in the world, in Jai Opetaia … savage,’ the Matchroom Boxing boss said.
‘You’re talking about a very special fighter. It’s not just the belts at cruiserweight, it’s the belts at heavyweight.’
‘Jai’s humble enough to not yet talk about the name of Oleksandr Usyk. I’m not.
‘Jai’s gonna pick up all the belts in the cruiserweight division to become undisputed, then we’re going push him into a fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
‘You have to search for greatness. I believe he’s the only person right now, cruiserweight or heavyweight, who can give Usyk a real fight.
‘But to do it, we’ve got to get all the cruiserweight belts.
‘Trust me, in 12-18 months, Jai Opetaia against Oleksandr Usyk … at (Brisbane’s) Suncorp Stadium, why not.’
