Jai Opetaia will fight his former sparring partner David Nyika for the IBF world cruiserweight title.
Both boxers' undefeated credentials will go on the line when the two Queensland-based fighters do battle on January 8 at Gold Coast Convention Centre.
World No.10 Nyika (10-0) is a New Zealander who now lives in Gatton. Nine of his bouts have been won via knockout.
Gold Coast's Opetaia (26-0) has 10 KOs to his credit.
The 29-year-old was originally scheduled to defend his IBF and Ring Magazine world title against world No.1-ranked Huseyin Cinkara next month but the German severely injured an ankle which has ruled him out of action for at least three months.
Opetaia's manager Mick Francis, in conjunction with the IBF, had a frantic search to find an opponent. The Nyika camp put up their hand and their 29-year-old will take on Opetaia with three weeks to prepare.
Nyika's trainer Noel Thornberry said the timing would not be an issue for the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner. Nyika also won bronze for New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"To fight somebody like Jai at three weeks notice is a massive ask but David, being the athlete that he is, is always in good condition," Thornberry told AAP.
"When the possibility arose we made ourselves available.
"David looked up to Jai when he was younger. They have worked together extensively in the gym.
"David was Jai's main sparring partner in the lead up to his Mairis Briedis world champion fight at the Gold Coast (in 2022)."
Francis, also promoter of Tasman Fighters, said the showdown had an all-Queensland blockbuster feel to it.
"It will be a great fight because they are both locals," Francis told AAP.
"They are the same age and both had really strong amateur careers.
"Both of them are hungry."
Thornberry said Opetaia's fearsome reputation would not daunt Nyika.
"I believe David is the best boxer in the cruiserweight division worldwide right now. Jai is the best combination of a boxer and a fighter in the division," he said.
"Jai was once a bigger guy than David but now the roles are reversed.As a cruiserweight he is a big frame of a man and a world class boxer."
