Jai Opetaia is the only man who can challenge heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk says promoter Eddie Hearn, after the IBF and Ring champion exacted the toll of trying to match it with boxing's best from David Nyika.

Australia’s best boxer Jai Opetaia left his opponent on the canvas for several minutes following a devastating knockout Gold Coast on Wednesday night, after which promoter Eddie Hearn suggested he could fight Oleksandr Usyk next year.

Opetaia retained the IBF cruiserweight title inside four rounds, before promoter Eddie Hearn addressed the Australian’s next steps

Jai Opetaia retained his IBF cruiserweight title Wednesday with a spectacular fourth-round KO of David Nyika in Gold Coast, Australia. Opetaia, ESPN's No. 1 cruiserweight, and Nyika engaged in an intense fight from the opening bell that featured nonstop exchanges of power punches.

Jai Opetaia scored the nastiest knockout of the year so far on Wednesday, the 8th of January, on the Gold Coast of Australia, as he triumphed in spectacular fashion after a dog-fight with his cruiserweight opponent David Nyika on a Matchroom boxing show for DAZN.

The cruiserweight king successfully defended his gold strap once again with another stunning knockout, but fans were left concerned after Opetaia's opponent was left in a brutal state

An opportunity has presented itself to David Nyika, and he looks to take advantage and bring gold back home. Nyika is challenging Jai Opetaia for Opetaia's IBF and The Ring cruiserweight titles. The fight in Opetaia's backyard in Australia airs on DAZN worldwide.

Jai Opetaia (27-0, 21 KOs) remains a cruiserweight world champion after blasting out David Nyika (10-1, 9 KOs) in four rounds. The time of stoppage was 2:17.