Everything was in order ahead of David Nyika’s sold-out performance on Friday night at the Gatton Shire Corridor until Noel Thornberry called the caterer.
Alarm bells rang as an awkward silence fell on the other end of the line.
The chef finally admitted to Nyika’s trainer, supervisor and promoter that he thought the fight would be on Saturday.
Thornberry has seen everything in his life around boxing, so there was no panic.
Hours later, the beef cheeks were served tender, like Waikato Falefehi’s ribs after Nyika finished him off in two rounds to move to 7-0.
If all goes to plan for Nyika on Wednesday, the 600 who gathered at Gatton last July will be able to say they were there that night watching a future world champion.
The 29-year-old, now 10-0, will fight IBF and The Ring cruiserweight belt holder Jai Opetaia (26-0) on the Gold Coast.
The injury to mandatory challenger Huseyin Cinkara opened the door for Nyika to accept the fight on three weeks’ notice and bring to life a salivating trans-Tasman title fight between two familiar foes.
David Nyika has remained active leading fights in the Gatton Shire Corridor. (AAP: Provided by Sean Lawson)
But Thornberry has been anticipating the moment since taking over the Tokyo Games bronze medalist, two-time Commonwealth Games champion and New Zealand Olympic flag bearer three years ago.
“Here we were struggling to get an opponent to fight on the undercard, now we’re in the main event in the other corner,” Thornberry said.
“Sometimes opportunities don’t come twice, but someone like David always creates opportunities and takes advantage of them.
“Over the years we’ve missed a lot of opportunities because guys aren’t staying in the shape they should be.
“Dave is not that guy. “He is always ready to play and is the most professional athlete I have ever had to do with.”
Nyika decided to move to Gatton to train with Thornberry.
He will now be the fourth boxer from Thornberry’s humble boxing gym to fight for a world title; heavyweight Alex Leapai’s clash with Wladimir Klitschko 11 years ago, the most notable.
Since then, Thornberry has gotten creative to keep Nyika active, its headliner Gatton and all its moving parts are just another night at the office.
“I’m used to being in a state of chaos, doing everything,” he laughs.
“When I was younger I trained, managed and promoted myself.
“I was the promoter that night, as well as fighting in the main event, so this is a no-brainer for me.”
David Nyika ended his last fight against Tommy Karpency in Auckland early. (AAP: Photosport/Brett Phibbs)
Nyika has embraced her quiet existence in Gatton, mowing grass and building chicken coops in her backyard.
Locals are now familiar with the chiseled torso regularly seen pounding the pavement of the regional Queensland city.
“It’s really lucky that we found each other: he’s never had anyone who focused solely on him, no matter how good he was,” Thornberry said.
“He is very bright, has opinions and always listens. “If I were a prima donna, I wouldn’t be interested.”
They would have liked at least eight weeks to prepare for the man considered the best cruiserweight since Oleksandr Usyk, but Thornberry is still confident.
“I called Dave at 8:30 on Saturday morning and told him we had been offered the fight,” he said.
“He said, ‘Noel, I’m hot right now, let’s take it.’
“Just one sentence, not a hint of hesitation in his voice.
“He’s been on the world stage since he was 18 (won Commonwealth gold).
“He fought on the first Usyk-Fury card.
“So I don’t think this is as daunting a proposition as some might think.
“He’s been on the big stage and he’s enjoyed it.”
You can follow all the action from David Nyika’s fight with Jai Opetaia on Wednesday, January 8 on ABC’s live weblog from 6pm AEDT.
AAP
