David Nyika is comfortable in the knowledge he may not be home before next year’s Commonwealth Games as he heads away to take up a big opportunity in the UK.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist and two-time Commonwealth gold medal winning boxer has been confirmed to fight on the undercard to Joseph Parker’s rematch with Dereck Chisora in Manchester on December 19.
Nyika, who was flying out of New Zealand on Saturday, was set to train alongside Parker under the former heavyweight world champion’s new mentor Andy Lee.
While he had no spot secured in MIQ, Nyika said he was happy to accept he might not return to New Zealand before the Birmingham Games started in late July.
“I’m kind of a leaf floating in the wind a little bit.
“I’m hoping MIQ disappears as soon as possible, which seems very dependant on vaccination rates. If I have to I will stay over there until Birmingham, but ideally I’d like to come home and reconnect with family and friends, hit the re-set button and go again.
“I can’t even tell you what’s going to happen over the next little while … fingers crossed I get to come home but if I don’t it’s not the end of the world, and I’ll likely be spending quite bit of time overseas over the next few years, so it’s probably best I get used to that.”
The size of the opportunity was also helping ease any of Nyika’s worries about when he would next be home.
Not only would he be training with Parker under Lee’s tutelage, but the Morecambe facility where they were based was the base for British superstar Tyson Fury.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Nyika said to rub shoulders with the likes of Parker, Lee and Fury would be huge.
“I can’t quite quantify what it means for me but it’s a massive step in the right direction.
“I know that I’m going to develop so much over the next eight weeks. Beyond that, if everything goes well, the horizon is bright.”
As for the fight itself, that held similar appeal.
Nyika was victorious in just 28 seconds when making his professional debut on the undercard to Parker’s win over Junior Fa in Auckland back in February.
After getting a taste for the bright lights, Nyika said he was keen to take the next step in that part of his career.
“Being in front of the right sets of eyes is really important.
“Obviously professional boxing is a completely different sport, it’s more of a business than amateur boxing, so your personal brand becomes more important than just your boxing ability.
“But I know I’m going to make it all the way to the top regardless. It’s just a matter of impressing the right people at the right time. I feel like in a place like the UK that’s a lot easier to do.”
Nyika’s opponent for the bout was still to be confirmed.
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