David Kieran Nyika (born 7 August 1995) is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur, he won a gold medal at both the 2014 and 2018 Commonwealth Games as well as competing at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships.[1][2][3][4] Nyika and Sarah Hirini were the New Zealand flag bearers at the 2020 Summer Olympics.[5][6] Nyika gained significant media attention after an incident during the Round of 16 at the 2020 Summer Olympics in which Moroccan boxer Youness Baalla attempted to bite Nyika's ear.[7][8][9][10]
David Nyika | |
|---|---|
| Born | 7 August 1995 Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Cruiserweight |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Reach | 79 in (201 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 10 |
| Wins | 10 |
| Wins by KO | 9 |
Medal record | |
Amateur career
edit2020 Summer Olympics
editOn July 27, 2021, Nyika won a Round of 16 match against Moroccan Youness Baalla in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. In what was described by commentators as a "disgraceful act", during the third round, Baalla attempted to bite Nyika.[11] The biting incident overshadowed the competition as New Zealand media reported that it "marred" Nyika's Olympic debut.[12] The incident drew comparisons to Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield's 1997 fight in which Tyson repeatedly bit Holyfield's ear.[13]
On August 3, 2021, David Nyika won a bronze medal after being defeated in the men's heavyweight semifinal against Russian Olympic Committee's Muslim Gadzhimagomedov.[14]
Commonwealth Game results
editGlasgow 2014
- Round of 32: Defeated Luvuyo Sizani (South Africa) 2–0
- Round of 16: Defeated Scott Forrest (Scotland) 3–0
- Quarter-finals: Defeated Sumit Sangwan (India) 3–0
- Semi-finals: Defeated Sean McGlinchy (Northern Ireland) 3–0
- Final: Defeated Kennedy St-Pierre (Mauritius) 3–0
Gold Coast 2018
- Round of 16: Defeated Yakita Aska (Antigua and Barbuda) 5–0
- Quarter-finals: Defeated Christian Ndzie Tsoye (Cameroon) W/O
- Semi-finals: Defeated Cheavon Clarke (England) 5–0
- Final: Defeated Jason Whateley (Australia) 5–0
World Championship results
editHamburg 2017
- Round of 16: Defeated Igor Teziev (Germany) 5–0
- Quarter-finals: Defeated by Evgeny Tishchenko (Russia) 4–1
Yekaterinburg 2019
- Round of 32: Defeated Ahmed Hagag (Austria) 5–0
- Round of 16: Defeated by Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) 5–0
Olympic Games results
editTokyo 2020
- Round of 16: Defeated Youness Baalla (Morocco) 5-0
- Quarter-finals: Defeated Uladzislau Smiahlikau (Belarus) 5-0
- Semi-finals: Defeated by Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) 4–1
Professional career
editEarly career
editOn 26 January 2021, it was announced that Nyika would make his professional debut against Jesse Maio on the undercard of Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa at Spark Arena on 27 February 2021.[15][16] The bout would end in strange fashion as following a big right hand landed by Nyika that floored Maio, Maio would protest that the punch landed behind the head. Despite protestations from Maio that he had been hit behind the head, Nyika was awarded the win just 29 seconds into the opening round.[17]
Following his bronze medal winning performance at the 2020 Summer Olympics Nyika would relocate to Morecambe, England in preparation for his second pro bout and would begin training under former WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee and would train alongside reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.[18] He would make his UK debut against Frenchman Anthony Carpin on the undercard of the rematch between Joseph Parker vs. Dereck Chisora at AO Arena in Manchester on 18 December 2021. Nyika would progress to 2–0 dominating Carpin throughout the initial three minutes and when the bell rang to end the opening round, Carpin would retire on his stool complaining about a left elbow injury.[19]
Nyika's next outing would be involved in a crowd-pleasing five-round scrap with Karim Maatalla on the undercard of George Kambosos Jr vs Devin Haney on 5 June 2022. Nyika showcased some of the skills that helped him win Olympic bronze and two Commonwealth Games golds as he out-fought the game Maatalla over five rounds to win 49–46, 49–46 and 48–47 on the judges scorecards. Speaking on his performance after the fight, Nyika said, "Realistically, I'd give it like a C−, It was exactly what I needed. I needed some tough opposition, someone who can actually take the shots as well as give them back."[20]
Nyika is scheduled to headline a DAZN PPV card at Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand on September 14, 2024.[21][22]
Professional boxing record
edit| 10 fights | 10 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 9 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Tommy Karpency | TKO | 3 (10), 1:13 | 15 Sep 2024 | Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand | Retained IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight title and Won vacant WBO Asia Pacfic cruiserweight title |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Michael Seitz | TKO | 4 (10), 2:45 | 18 May 2024 | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Robert Berridge | TKO | 3 (8), 1:00 | 3 Nov 2023 | Gatton Shire Hall, Gatton, Australia | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Waikato Falefehi | TKO | 2 (8), 2:14 | 28 July 2023 | Gatton Shire Hall, Gatton, Australia | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Louis Marsters | TKO | 4 (5), 2:22 | 24 May 2023 | Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Titi Motusaga | KO | 2 (6), 2:35 | 16 Oct 2022 | Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Louis Marsters | TKO | 2 (4), 0:59 | 2 Jul 2022 | Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Karim Maatalla | UD | 5 | 5 Jun 2022 | Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Anthony Carpin | RTD | 1 (4), 3:00 | 18 Dec 2021 | AO Arena, Manchester, England | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Jesse Maio | KO | 1 (6), 0:29 | 27 Feb 2021 | Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand |
References
edit- ^ "The Top Boxing Prospects from the 2014 Commonwealth Games". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "NZ fans spur Nyika to boxing gold". RNZ. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Kiwi heavyweight boxer David Nyika ousted from world championships in controversial decision". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "Jerome Pampellone stars at World Championships, David Nyika sent packing". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Tokyo Olympics 2020: New Zealand's last-minute flagbearer change as Olympics officially begin with opening ceremony". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Tokyo Olympics: Schedule change calls Kiwi rowing eights into early Games action". Newshub. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Tokyo Olympics: David Nyika cruises into quarterfinals after attempted bite from Morocco's Youness Baalla". Stuff. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "David Nyika on receiving end of bite attempt in Olympic boxing debut". RNZ. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Rival attempts bite on Kiwi heavyweight David Nyika". TVNZ. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Moroccan boxer Youness Baalla attempts to bite New Zealand's David Nyika | NBC Olympics". NBC Olympics. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Boxing-New Zealand's Nyika bitten but not beaten on Games debut". Reuters. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Tokyo Olympics 2020: Boxing – Kiwi heavyweight David Nyika's Games win marred by disgraceful act". NZ Herald. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "He bit his ear! Boxer's outrageous Mike Tyson move". AdelaideNow. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Kiwi boxer David Nyika wins bronze after semifinal defeat". TVNZ. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ "Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa: As Tokyo Olympics uncertainty continues, David Nyika finds opponent for pro debut". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Kiwi boxer David Nyika confident of crushing victory on professional debut". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- ^ "Boxing: David Nyika beats Jesse Maio in professional debut after bizarre 28-second TKO". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ "Boxer David Nyika heading to UK to join Parker, Fury camp". 1News. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ "Boxing: Olympic star David Nyika shows professional potential with convincing win on Parker-Chisora undercard". Newshub. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ "David Nyika eyes another fight before Commonwealth Games". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Iskenderov, Parviz (21 June 2024). "David Nyika next fight set for September in New Zealand". FIGHTMAG.
- ^ Napier, Liam (21 June 2024). "David Nyika teams up with Joseph Parker in multi-fight deal". NZ Herald.
External links
edit- David Nyika at BoxRec (registration required)
- David Nyika at Olympedia
- David Nyika at the New Zealand Olympic Committee
- David Nyika at the Commonwealth Games Federation (archived)
