David Nyika needed only three rounds to dispatch American Tommy Karpency in Auckland last night, the Kiwi cruiserweight taking another step forward on the journey to his world title dream with an impressive technical knockout.
Nyika, who extended his undefeated professional record to 10 victories with nine knockouts, was expected to win well against an opponent who took the fight on only two weeks’ notice after Blake Caparello’s failed drugs test but there was a unique form of pressure on the Olympic bronze medallist.
Here he was at the Viaduct Events Centre in front of celebrities of all sorts – former All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald was there, as were various high-profile politicians – headlining a fight for the first time.
It was also only Nyika’s second fight in New Zealand. His first was his professional debut on the undercard of Joseph Parker v Junior Fa in early 2021 – a bout which lasted a tick under 30 seconds.
Nyika, 29, was also fighting a man in Karpency who was effectively fighting above his weight range. Normally a light heavyweight, Karpency gave up 3kg to Nyika, the local favourite also enjoying a big height and reach advantage.
And so once Nyika got into his work and put Karpency under pressure after a cagey start, there was little coming back in the way of attack, although the visitor went on to the offensive at the start of the third round in a strategy which reeked of desperation.
A left hand body shot from Nyika, which put Karpency down for the count, was the beginning of the end, and a counter right hook to the temple finished the job, Karpency’s corner throwing in the towel when the count reached seven.
It was a performance high on efficiency and tinged with brutality.
“I did what I had to do,” Nyika said. “I was patient enough. I still think I could have set my shots up a little better.
“It’s my first big show and first big headlining act. It’s a step in the right direction.”
Asked about the finish, Nyika said: “It’s a bit of a blur, you know? I think it was a combination of some early body work and him realising he didn’t belong in there. He did everything he could. I wanted him to get up again, bless him.
“The body presented itself. It was more readily available than the head. I copped a pretty nice headbutt one time so I figured I’d hit the target that isn’t moving.
“Everybody was there to see a performance and I’d like to think they got it but I know I’ve got a lot left in the tank.”
Nyika paid credit to Karpency for stepping in a short notice, and the man himself made no excuses.
“The short notice had nothing to do with it. He’s a tall rangy guy and he hit me with good body shots,” said Karpency.
Liam Messam, right, trades blows with Nik Charalampous in Auckland. (Source: Photosport)
He added: “He’s going to be a future world champion.”
Nyika, who retained his IBF inter-continental cruiserweight title and won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific junior heavyweight title, will presumably move up the rankings of both organisations.
He said he would like to fight again before the end of the year and suggested undefeated Swede Robin Safar as an attractive proposition.
Nyika, who smiled broadly from the start to the finish of his ring walk, has had a taste of the big time and he appears to like it very much. Greater challenges loom.
On the co-main event of a card jointly promoted by former heavyweight world champion Joseph Parker, a man in his element when working the room and its 1,000-or-so guests, Kiwi heavyweight Hemi Ahio gained revenge for the only defeat of his professional career when beating Faiga Opelu by split decision.
Former All Blacks loose forward Liam Messam’s four-round heavyweight clash against the experienced Nik Charalampous finished in a majority draw in another under-card fight.
It was the 40-year-old Messam’s eighth professional fight and his most challenging, although his Kiwi opponent took the bout on only five days’ notice.
“It was definitely a tough fight,” Messam said. “He’s an experienced boxer. Just like rugby, you can’t complain about the refs or judges. They called it as it is. I’ll be back to training on Monday.”
Two judges scored the fight 38-38, with the other giving it 39-37 to Messam.
Asked if he wanted to continue fighting, he said: “Hopefully I showed a little bit of skill so we’ll see what happens. It’s very addictive. It’s hard to explain.”
Charalampous, who dedicated the fight to his late trainer Chris Martin, said: “It was a good opportunity to fight a Kiwi icon. He’s really good. I sparred him maybe 11 years ago and I knew he was pretty good back then. He’s been in boxing a long time.
“I was most impressed with his output and his will to win… he’s a class act.”
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