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FIFA World Cup 2026 poster'Amazing opportunity': Nyika eyes title shot in blockbuster Auckland homecoming
Sport Nation • May 22nd, 2026 10:44 am
Photo: Darren England/AAP
David Nyika is eager to quench the thirst of the Aotearoa boxing community in his recently announced homecoming.
In Auckland on August 8, Queensland-based Nyika will square off with Floyd Masson in the highest stakes fight night on NZ shores in years.
The bout has been deemed an IBF cruiserweight title eliminator for the belt previously held by Jai Opetaia, who was stripped of the belt by the commission for his decision to fight under Dana White's rebel promotion Zuffa Boxing.
A win against Masson (17-2) would catapult Nyika (12-1) to No. 1 in the IBF's rankings and all but ensure a chance to claim the organisation's vacated strap.
"It's an amazing opportunity," Nyika told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy.
Jai Opetaia and David Nyika are on track for a rematch after their 2025 bout in Queensland | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
"I think it's the fight that New Zealand's been waiting for for a while now, up there with the likes of Joseph Parker vs Andy Ruiz or Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa, which was probably the last big domestic bash.
"I'm super, super excited."
Having fallen victim to the hugely heralded Opetaia in his late-notice call-up to take on the Aussie in January 2025, Nyika is salivating at the chance to make a statement on the big stage.
The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist admitted he learned plenty of lessons from the fourth-round TKO knockout defeat - the first of his fledgling professional career.
He's since responded with straightforward wins over Nic Charalampous and Wuzhati Nuerlang, and will look to make it three straight against the NZ-born Aussie.
"It was just another fight. I did a lot of good things in that fight, I did a few silly things like engaging in the fight too early,but that's just the dog in me coming out.
"I think I'm going to need plenty of dog to overcome the likes of Floyd Masson."
Listen to the full interview below:
