David Nyika

Last updated

David Nyika
Born (1995-08-07) 7 August 1995 (age 28)
Hamilton, New Zealand
Statistics
Weight(s) Cruiserweight
Height6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Reach79 in (201 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights8
Wins8
Wins by KO7
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Olympic Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2020 Tokyo Heavyweight
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2014 Glasgow Light heavyweight
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2018 Gold Coast Heavyweight

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]

Contents

Amateur career

2020 Summer Olympics

On 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

Glasgow 2014

Gold Coast 2018

World Championship results

Hamburg 2017

Yekaterinburg 2019

Olympic Games results

Tokyo 2020

Professional career

Early career

On 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 an 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]

Professional boxing record

8 fights8 wins0 losses
By knockout70
By decision10
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
8Win8–0 Robert Berridge TKO3 (8), 1:003 Nov 2023Gatton Shire Hall, Gatton, Australia
7Win7–0Waikato FalefehiTKO2 (8), 2:1428 July 2023Gatton Shire Hall, Gatton, Australia
6Win6–0Louis MarstersTKO4 (5), 2:2224 May 2023 Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, Australia
5Win5–0Titi MotusagaKO2 (6), 2:35 16 Oct 2022 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
4Win4–0Louis MarstersTKO2 (4), 0:592 Jul 2022 Convention & Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
3Win3–0Karim MaatallaUD5 5 Jun 2022 Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
2Win2–0Anthony CarpinRTD1 (4), 3:00 18 Dec 2021 AO Arena, Manchester, England
1Win1–0Jesse MaioKO1 (6), 0:29 27 Feb 2021 Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlos Takam</span> Cameroonian boxer

Armand Carlos Netsing Takam is a Cameroonian French professional boxer. He has challenged once for the unified WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles in 2017. As an amateur, he represented Cameroon at the 2004 Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Price (boxer)</span> English professional boxer (born 1983)

David Price is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2009 to 2019. At regional level, he held multiple heavyweight championships, including the British and Commonwealth titles from 2012 to 2013, and challenged once for the European title in 2015. As an amateur, he won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics, gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and 2008 EU Championships, and three ABA titles; all in the super-heavyweight division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dean Lonergan</span> New Zealand Boxing Promoter

Dean Robert Lonergan is a New Zealand retired professional rugby league player, former Radio host, former co owner of Duco Events and boxing promoter in Australia and New Zealand under D & L Events. With Duco founder David Higgins, Lonergan has co-promoted world champion boxers Joseph Parker and Jeff Horn. With his son Liam, he has promoted Jai Opetaia, Lani Daniels, Mea Motu, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Parker</span> New Zealand boxer

Joseph Dennis Parker, OM is a New Zealand professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the WBO Oriental, Africa, and Oceania titles; as well as the PABA, OPBF, and New Zealand titles. As an amateur, he represented New Zealand at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the super-heavyweight division, and narrowly missed qualification for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexis Pritchard</span> New Zealand boxer (born 1983)

Alexis Pritchard is a South-African born New Zealand boxer. On 5 August 2012 she became the first New Zealand woman to win an Olympic bout when she beat Tunisia's Rim Jouini in the Round of 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Light (boxer)</span> New Zealand amateur boxer

David Light is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur, he competed in the men's heavyweight division at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where he won the silver medal against Canada's Samir El-Mais. Professionally, Light is a former WBO World Crusierweight title contender, where he fought Lawrence Okolie in March 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Joyce (boxer)</span> English boxer (born 1985)

Joe Joyce is a British professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) interim heavyweight title from 2022 to 2023. At regional level, he has held multiple heavyweight championships, including the Commonwealth title twice between 2018 and 2021; the British title from 2020 to 2022; and the European title from 2020 to 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reece Papuni</span> New Zealander professional boxer

Reece Papuni is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur, he reached the quarterfinals of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Uaine Fa Junior is a New Zealand professional boxer. As an amateur he represented Tonga at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, winning a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight division; he also represented Tonga at the Oceania Championships, winning gold and multiple silver medals. His knockout-to-win percentage stands at 53%.

Demsey McKean is an Australian professional boxer, former mixed martial arts fighter and former Muay Thai fighter.

Patrick Pakuliki Mailata is a Samoan born, New Zealand raised professional boxer. As an amateur, he won three New Zealand national elite championships from 2012 to 2014 and a bronze medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Tupuola Seua’i Ato Leau Plodzicki-Faoagali is a Samoan amateur boxer who has represented Samoa at the Pacific Games, Commonwealth Games and the 2020 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muslim Gadzhimagomedov</span> Russian boxer (born 1997)

Muslim Gamzatovich Gadzhimagomedov is a Russian professional boxer. As an amateur, Gadzhimagomedov won a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships and 2019 European Games. Gadzhimagomedov also won silver medals at both the 2020 Summer Olympics and 2017 European Championships.

Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa was a heavyweight professional boxing match contested between former WBO champion Joseph Parker and WBO Oriental interim champion Junior Fa. The bout took place on 27 February 2021, at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. The event was co-promoted by David Higgins of Duco Events, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment, and was considered a history making moment and New Zealand's next "Fight of the Century".

Youness Baalla is a Moroccan boxer. He competed in the men's heavyweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

John Kevin Alipate Ahio, known professionally as Hemi Ahio, is a New Zealand born Tongan professional boxer.

Jerome Mandela Joseph-Pampellone is an English born, New Zealand raised professional boxer. He participated in the 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships as an amateur and won three New Zealand national elite championships between 2018 and 2020. Pampellone narrowly missed qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics after failing to place at the Olympic Qualification Tournament for 2020 in Asia and Oceania.

Christopher Bruce Martin was a New Zealand boxing manager and trainer. He trained many boxers including two of David Tua's fights in 2011, Joseph Parker's debut and first fight in Australia, Mea Motu during her amateur career, Geovana Peres for her two world title fights in 2019, Michelle Preston for her world title fight in 2012, and Daniella Smith.

Isaac Peach is a New Zealand retired professional boxer, a current boxing coach and owner of Peach Boxing. Peach trained multiple talented boxers including IBO World Champion Mea Motu, World title contender David Light, World ranked Andrei Mikhailovich and World ranked Jerome Pampellone. Peach is well known to have the philosophy in his gym to have his boxers take on any opponent. Peach Boxing Gym is considered the best boxing gym in New Zealand, rivaling the status of City Kickboxing in MMA.

Peach Boxing is a boxing gym created by Isaac Peach and Alina Peach in 2013, based in Henderson Valley, New Zealand. The gym focuses on professional boxing, amateur boxing and corporate boxing, and currently trains boxers including IBO world champion Mea Motu, WBO World title contender David Light, Andrei Mikhailovich and Jerome Pampellone. The gym has multiple professional boxers who have signed with major promotions in Australia and New Zealand, such as No Limits Boxing promoted by Matt Rose and George Rose in Australia, and D&L Events promoted by Dean Lonergan in Australia and New Zealand.

References

  1. ↑ "The Top Boxing Prospects from the 2014 Commonwealth Games". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "NZ fans spur Nyika to boxing gold". RNZ. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "Kiwi heavyweight boxer David Nyika ousted from world championships in controversial decision". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. ↑ "Jerome Pampellone stars at World Championships, David Nyika sent packing". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Tokyo Olympics 2020: New Zealand's last-minute flagbearer change as Olympics officially begin with opening ceremony". NZ Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  6. ↑ "Tokyo Olympics: Schedule change calls Kiwi rowing eights into early Games action". Newshub. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  7. ↑ "Tokyo Olympics: David Nyika cruises into quarterfinals after attempted bite from Morocco's Youness Baalla". Stuff. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "David Nyika on receiving end of bite attempt in Olympic boxing debut". RNZ. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Rival attempts bite on Kiwi heavyweight David Nyika". TVNZ. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "Moroccan boxer Youness Baalla attempts to bite New Zealand's David Nyika | NBC Olympics". NBC Olympics. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Boxing-New Zealand's Nyika bitten but not beaten on Games debut". Reuters. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  12. ↑ "Tokyo Olympics 2020: Boxing – Kiwi heavyweight David Nyika's Games win marred by disgraceful act". NZ Herald. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  13. ↑ "He bit his ear! Boxer's outrageous Mike Tyson move". AdelaideNow. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Kiwi boxer David Nyika wins bronze after semifinal defeat". TVNZ. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa: As Tokyo Olympics uncertainty continues, David Nyika finds opponent for pro debut". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  16. ↑ "Kiwi boxer David Nyika confident of crushing victory on professional debut". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  17. ↑ "Boxing: David Nyika beats Jesse Maio in professional debut after bizarre 28-second TKO". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  18. ↑ "Boxer David Nyika heading to UK to join Parker, Fury camp". 1news.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "Boxing: Olympic star David Nyika shows professional potential with convincing win on Parker-Chisora undercard". newshub.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  20. ↑ "David Nyika eyes another fight before Commonwealth Games". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
Olympic Games
Preceded by Flagbearer for Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Tokyo 2020
With: Sarah Hirini 		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.