On July 27, 2021, Nyika won a Round of 16 match against Moroccan Youness Baalla in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. In what was described by commentators as a "disgraceful act", during the third round, Baalla attempted to bite Nyika.[11] The biting incident overshadowed the competition as New Zealand media reported that it "marred" Nyika's Olympic debut.[12] The incident drew comparisons to Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield's 1997 fight in which Tyson repeatedly bit Holyfield's ear.[13]
On August 3, 2021, David Nyika won a bronze medal after being defeated in the men's heavyweight semifinal against Russian Olympic Committee's Muslim Gadzhimagomedov.[14]
Commonwealth Game results
Glasgow 2014
Round of 32: Defeated Luvuyo Sizani (South Africa) 2–0
On 26 January 2021, it was announced that Nyika would make his professional debut against Jesse Maio on the undercard of Joseph Parker vs. Junior Fa at Spark Arena on 27 February 2021.[15][16] The bout would end in strange fashion as following a big right hand landed by Nyika that floored Maio, Maio would protest that the punch landed behind the head. Despite protestations from Maio that he had been hit behind the head, Nyika was awarded the win just 29 seconds into the opening round.[17]
Following his bronze medal winning performance at the 2020 Summer Olympics Nyika would relocate to Morecambe, England in preparation for his second pro bout and would begin training under former WBOmiddleweight champion Andy Lee and would train alongside reigning WBCheavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.[18] He would make his UK debut against Frenchman Anthony Carpin on the undercard of the rematch between Joseph Parker vs. Dereck Chisora at AO Arena in Manchester on 18 December 2021. Nyika would progress to 2–0 dominating Carpin throughout the initial three minutes and when the bell rang to end the opening round, Carpin would retire on his stool complaining about an left elbow injury.[19]
Nyika's next outing would be involved in a crowd-pleasing five-round scrap with Karim Maatalla on the undercard of George Kambosos Jr vs Devin Haney on 5 June, 2022. Nyika showcased some of the skills that helped him win Olympic bronze and two Commonwealth Games golds as he out-fought the game Maatalla over five rounds to win 49–46, 49–46 and 48–47 on the judges scorecards. Speaking on his performance after the fight, Nyika said, "Realistically, I'd give it like a C−, It was exactly what I needed. I needed some tough opposition, someone who can actually take the shots as well as give them back."[20]
