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".

All you need to know as Jai Opetaia faces David Nyika for the IBF and The Ring cruiserweight world titles at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on January 8.

Tony Bellew is a big admirer of Jai Opetaia and he’ll be watching when the Australian superstar defends his world title against David Nyika later

But on January 8, the IBF cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) will return to action at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre against New Zealand fighter David Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs).

Noel Thornberry welcomed David Nyika into his Gatton stable almost three years ago and has ensured the boxer would be ready when the inevitable title shot arrived.

He doesn’t outright say it, but you can tell Noel Thornberry is more than a little insulted by the betting odds for his Kiwi protégé David Nyika’s