Jai Opetaia knocked out Kiwi David Nyika with a vicious knockout on Wednesday, retaining the IBF cruiserweight title in Australia.

The Samoan hitman could be looking at a clash with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. This is what promoter Eddie Hearn talked about in a post-match interview.

Opetaia stopped the Nyika in round four, landing a series of shots with Nyika stuck against the ropes and putting the challenger down and out with a brutal left hook.

Moments earlier, Opetaia had floored Nyika with a left and right at close range, but the latter was quick to stand. However, with a minute left in the round, there was always danger for Nyika, and Opetaia stalked him in pursuit of a finish.

It soon came, with Opetaia’s left hook putting Nyika facedown on the canvas and needing treatment. A few minutes later, Nyika was sitting up, as Opetaia applauded from his corner. The result kept Opetaia, 29, unbeaten, while he handed Nyika, also 29, his first professional loss.

Opetaia then used his post-fight interview to call out WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez, as the Samoan seeks to unify the cruiserweight belts.