David Nyika will get a shot at Jai Opetaia’s old IBF cruiserweight strap after outclassing Floyd Masson in their world title eliminator in Auckland on Saturday night.
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Nyika, who was stopped by Opetaia in his bid for the crown less than two years ago, was too good for Masson in the battle of the two Australian-based fighters as he defeated his fellow Kiwi by unanimous decision (115-111, 115-112 x2).
Nyika will face undefeated Englishman Viddal Riley for the now vacant IBF belt, which was controversially taken from Opetaia in March after he signed with Zuffa Boxing.
The Kiwi is also now in the frame for a potential blockbuster showdown against Mexican-American superstar David Benavidez given Opetaia had previously been talked up for that fight before stripped of his title.
Speaking to foxsports.com.au earlier in the week, Nyika understood the gravity of Saturday’s fight and what it could set up for his career.
“The way I see my future, I’ve always been looking at getting the IBF cruiserweight title first,” he said.
“And then from there, the WBO would be my next primary focus.
“So ideally, I beat Floyd Masson, then Riley for the IBF strap. And then from there I go on to unify against the likes of David Benavidez.
“And look, I know I’m not world renowned yet. But if I get myself the IBF world title, I’m guessing somebody like Benavidez – who has always strived to be the greatest – would definitely be interested in that fight.
“Because while I’m not the biggest name in boxing right now, that fight becomes far more enticing when you’ve got someone like Benavidez looking to unify all the titles.”
Masson was having the better of the early exchanges in the first round as he looked to set up the overhand left, attacking to the body well and then later scoring with a left hand to close out the period.
Nyika picked up his activity in the second though, landing a big straight right hand in the round while also finding range for his looping right hand as he started to close the distance.
Masson responded by working behind the jab early in the third round and found success again as he landed a few clean shots before consistently going to the body near the close of the round.
The back-and-forth nature of the fight continued into the fourth as Nyika started to work to the body more and landed a big right hand to close out the round.
By that point Nyika had well and truly settled into the contest and there was little separating the two as the fight wore on, but the Kiwi started to push ahead before Masson was docked a point after his mouthpiece came out for a third time.
That left Masson needing a knockout to get the win and he couldn’t find it, with Nyika having his hand raised.
VATUVEI BRACES FOR EX-NRL STAR AFTER TKO WIN
Manu Vatuvei has set up a blockbuster showdown with fellow former NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona after a statement first-round TKO victory over Rene Ranger.
Vatuvei, who featured on the main card of the David Nyika v Floyd Masson fight night, made quick work of Ranger in what doubled as his opponent’s pro debut.
Ranger was no match for the power hitting of Vatuvei, who was landing at will as the first round dragged on and left the referee with no choice but to step in and end the fight.
That came with just over one minute left in the first round as Vatuvei wobbled a tiring Ranger, first with a brutal uppercut and then a straight left hand before he doubled up and then followed it up with a clean right.
“I was a bit slow at the start, but felt more rhythm later on,” Vatuvei later said post-fight.
“Big ups to Rene. He’s a warrior coming in this ring. It’s not easy, I respect everyone that jumps in this ring.”
Vatuvei confirmed he would be back in the ring at the end of the month when he takes on Matt Matich, but beyond then a potential fight against Asofa-Solomona looms.
Vatuvei scores TKO + calls out Big NAS! | 01:36
Vatuvei said in May that he was “100 per cent” willing to step in the ring against the former Storm enforcer, so how about now after he improved his record to 3-0?
“He knows where I’m at,” Vatuvei said.
“He knows my situation. I can’t go over there, so he’s got to make the trip here. So, at the end of the day if he wants it, I’m here.”
It was at that point that David Letele, who Vatuvei knocked out in his pro debut but has since become his mentor, entered the ring to interrupt the Warriors great.
“Don’t be so humble. Just bring it Solomona, just bring it,” Letele declared.
The retired Warriors winger has used his revived boxing career as a way of rebuilding his life after being jailed for drug importation.
Vatuvei opened up on his fall from grace in an exclusive interview with Jake Duke on Face to Face earlier this year, declaring the jail stint was a “wake-up call” and one of the best things to ever happen to him.