Brutally stopped in their first world title battle, David Nyika has welcomed a rematch with Jai Opetaia as he eyes a dramatic rankings rise in the wide-open IBF cruiserweight standings.
New Zealand's Gatton-based Olympic bronze medallist will fight fellow Kiwi-born talent Floyd Masson in a world title eliminator in Auckland on August 8.
The pair are ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the IBF standings that have been shaken up after the organisation controversially stripped unbeaten Opetaia of their belt.
Nyika stepped in as an injury replacement on short notice to challenge Opetaia in January last year and, after a furious three rounds, was knocked out by the champion.
But Opetaia's move to Zuffa Boxing, and subsequent debut for Dana White's rebel organisation, prompted the IBF to strip him of their title.
