David Nyika

2.1. Commonwealth Games

Nyika secured two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he competed in the light heavyweight division, achieving gold through a series of decisive victories:

• 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

At the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, he moved up to the heavyweight division and once again claimed gold:

• 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

2.2. World Championships

Nyika participated in two AIBA World Boxing Championships, demonstrating his capabilities on the global stage.

At the Hamburg 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships:

• Round of 16: Defeated Igor Teziev (Germany) 5-0
• Quarter-finals: Was defeated by Evgeny Tishchenko (Russia) 4-1

At the Yekaterinburg 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships:

• Round of 32: Defeated Ahmed Hagag (Austria) 5-0
• Round of 16: Was defeated by Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) 5-0

2.3. 2020 Summer Olympics

David Nyika played a prominent role for New Zealand at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). He and Sarah Hirini served as the New Zealand flag bearers for the opening ceremony.

In the men's heavyweight boxing competition, Nyika won a bronze medal. His performance included:

• Round of 16: Defeated Youness Baalla (Morocco) 5-0
• Quarter-finals: Defeated Uladzislau Smiahlikau (Belarus) 5-0
• Semi-finals: Was defeated by Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (Russia) 4-1

During his Round of 16 match on 27 July 2021, an unusual incident occurred in the third round against Moroccan boxer Youness Baalla, who attempted to bite Nyika's ear. Commentators described it as a "disgraceful act," and New Zealand media reported that the incident "marred" Nyika's Olympic debut. The incident drew immediate comparisons to the infamous 1997 fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, in which Tyson repeatedly bit Holyfield's ear. Despite the incident, Nyika cruised into the quarterfinals with a 5-0 decision. On 3 August 2021, Nyika secured his bronze medal after his semifinal defeat to Muslim Gadzhimagomedov.

3.1. Professional Debut and Early Fights

Nyika made his professional boxing debut on 27 February 2021, fighting against Jesse Maio on the undercard of the Joseph Parker versus Junior Fa bout at Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand. His debut ended quickly and controversially. Nyika landed a significant right hand that floored Maio, but Maio protested that the punch landed behind the head, claiming it was a rabbit punch. Despite Maio's protestations, Nyika was awarded the win via knockout just 29 seconds into the opening round.

His second professional bout was his United Kingdom debut against Frenchman Anthony Carpin on 18 December 2021, on the undercard of the rematch between Joseph Parker and Dereck Chisora at AO Arena in Manchester, England. Nyika dominated Carpin throughout the first three minutes. At the bell signaling the end of the opening round, Carpin chose to retire from the fight on his stool, citing a left elbow injury, which advanced Nyika's record to 2-0.

Nyika's third professional fight was a five-round contest against Karim Maatalla on 5 June 2022, featured on the undercard of the George Kambosos Jr vs Devin Haney fight. This bout was described as a crowd-pleasing scrap where Nyika showcased the skills that had earned him an Olympic bronze and two Commonwealth Games golds. He out-fought Maatalla over five rounds, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47. Reflecting on his performance, Nyika rated it as a "C-", stating it was "exactly what I needed. I needed some tough opposition, someone who can actually take the shots as well as give them back."

3.2. Progression and Training

Following his bronze medal performance at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Nyika relocated to Morecambe, England, to further his professional training. He began working under the tutelage of former WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee. During this period, he also trained alongside prominent heavyweights, including reigning WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, significantly enhancing his skills and experience.

3.3. Regional Title Wins

Nyika secured multiple regional titles as he progressed in his professional career. On 18 May 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight, he faced Michael Seitz for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight title. Nyika won the fight by TKO in the fourth round, two minutes and forty-five seconds into the round, claiming his first professional title.

On 15 September 2024, at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, Nyika fought Tommy Karpency. He won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title and simultaneously made his first defense of his IBF Inter-Continental cruiserweight title, securing a TKO victory in the third round, one minute and thirteen seconds into the round.

3.4. World Title Challenge

David Nyika challenged for a world title against Jai Opetaia, the reigning IBF and The Ring cruiserweight champion. The fight took place on 8 January 2025, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Gold Coast in Australia. Nyika lost the fight by knockout in the fourth round, two minutes and seventeen seconds into the round, failing to capture the world championship. This title shot came about unexpectedly, as Opetaia was originally scheduled to face Huseyin Cinkara, the IBF world No. 1 contender. However, Cinkara withdrew from the fight due to an ankle injury that required three months to recover. As a result, Nyika, who was ranked 11th in the division, stepped in as a substitute challenger.