Jai Opetaia rendered his rival David Nyika unconscious and needing oxygen after a seriously brutal KO.
Opetaia was making a defence of his IBF cruiserweight world title against undefeated fellow countryman David Nyika on the gold coast.
The Australian star is earning a real reputation as one of boxing’s most talented fighters and is looking for a path to become undisputed champion.
Talks also ramped up of a potential clash with current unified heavyweight champion and former undisputed cruiserweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
Opetaia was roared on by the home crowd who were partisan on the Wednesday night under the lights.
It was a crackling opening round with neither fighter willing to back down from any exchange, as Opetaia dominated with some heavy artillery early on.
The gun-slinging action continued in the second round , with Nyika landing some big shots at the end of the period showing his desire to stay with Opetaia.
But the champion continued to pepper away with some big shots of his own in the third and fourth round, but Nyika took them well and looked resolute.
Opetaia dropped Nyika for the first time in the fourth round with yet another crunching shot, and he looked to step in for the kill.
He pounced once again with a stunning combination, which splattered his rival on the ropes.
Nyika was out cold by the time a crunching left hand left him face planted on the canvas.
Medics stormed the ring as the fight was stopped and he was left in a bad way on the deck.
DAZNOpetaia detonated a huge left hand[/caption]
DAZNNyika was left in a bad bad way, but luckily regained consciousness[/caption]
But luckily he was raised to his feet and able to sit up after the damaging blows, to the relief of the crowd.
A fight with Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez now looks most likely as he first looks to unify before any clash with Usyk.
He confirmed that plan and suggested that Ramirez would be in fact next if he can execute his ideal 2025.
“Man, all that style s*** went out the window. That was a dogfight, and I respect that. He kept coming forward, he kept punching.
“Thank you, David. We gave this crowd a good fight.
“Ramirezzzzzz, I’m coming for the belts! I’m coming for my belts.”
Eddie Hearn was seriously impressed with Opetaia’s victory, and believes he will soon enter the pound-for-pound rankings.
“I mean, this is the most brutal sport of all, and you saw it up close,” he added.
“I believe David Nyika will be a world champion in the future, but not tonight. He came up against not just the best fighter in Australia, but one of the best fighters in the world, in Jai Opetaia.
“You’re talking about a very special fighter. It’s not just the belts at cruiserweight, it’s the belts at heavyweight. Huge future ahead.
“He should now enter the pound-for-pound conversation.”
Opetaia is becoming a popular figure, and has a bright future given he is Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh’s favourite right now.
His contract with Riyadh Season could see him land the biggest fights available with the backing of the Middle East.
He could well move up to the heavyweight division once he has completed his objective of unifying and becoming undisputed.
The rising star will hope to follow the path of Usyk, who himself became undisputed at the new weight by beating Tyson Fury, before achieving the same result in their recent rematch.
Fans will hope the unbeaten pair can cross paths, but the Ukrainian will take a break from the sport and has yet to decide on his next bout aged 47.