An all-kiwi cruiserweight boxing clash between Te Awamutu’s Floyd Masson and David Nyika is being talk up following Masson’s latest win.
Floyd Masson
Masson scored a unanimous eight round points decision win over Nigerian Austine Nnamdi in Brisbane last weekend – it was a shut out on one card and Masson won seven rounds on the other two.
Masson could now be paired with a number of leading Australasian fighters including Australian Jason Whateley.
But a bout with Nyika, whose last outing in January ended in a brutal knockout at the hands of IFB world cruiserweight champ Jai Opetaia, could be a drawcard in New Zealand.
The Claudelands Arena is one venue which has already been suggested.
David Nyika
Both boxers are based in Australia, but Nyika was born in Hamilton while Masson has his roots in Waipā.
Boxing writer Benjamin Watt suggests promoter David Higgins, form Duco Events, would be interested in the bout.
Higgins was last seen in the ring when Joseph Parker knocked out Martin Bakole in Riyadh on February 25. Parker’s brother John is another potential opponent – he improved his record to 11-1 at Claudelands last September.
Parker holds the WBA Oceania Cruiserweight title.
Watt said Masson’s win last weekend was an excellent opportunity to showcase his skill on his debut with promoters No Limit Boxing.
“Masson dominated throughout the performance… but Nnamdi did not make it easy for Masson, lasting throughout the eight rounds of the fight. Nnamdi had some greats in his corner, with Auckland’s Isaac Peach cornering his fight.”
Of other potential opponents Watt listed Peter Sa’lesui, who returned last November after a 2-year hiatus, Vita Pomale, who is placed slightly higher on the BoxRec rankings than Masson and Karim Maatalla… “but only if he can get past Masson’s previous opponent, Joshua Francis”.
“Two names in Fiji could be an interesting fight, including Alivereti Kauyaca, who lost to John Parker in a very close fight and the veteran Joseph Kwadj, who is tough and hard to knock out.”
Floyd Masson
