“I always get a little bit choked up when I talk about it because it is so personal and so close to home,” Nyika said. “But she is my inspiration now. I’ve been her rock, but she’s been my inspiration.”
“I’ve seen so much strength in her that I probably didn’t appreciate before coming out the other side, we’ve been formidable as a team, as an item. And I just feel a little bit more grown up now.
“It was a very sobering experience, but I take a lot of strength from that chapter. Having a purpose in life is so important, and she became my purpose. Now that that chapter’s behind us, I have another purpose. My purpose is to beat Floyd Masson.”
Nyika also described the experience as validating his ability to care for and support those closest to him.
“I’ve been validated in my care and my passion. My compassion has been validated,” he said.
“And I’ve expected so much discipline from Lex through this, and I’ve been there to do that with her and for her. Now I need to do it for myself.
“I just can’t wait to show everybody what that looks like in the ring, what that will manifest into.”
The fight against Kiwi-Aussie Masson takes place at North Shore’s Eventfinda Stadium, with a world title shot up for grabs in a wide-open division.
For No 5-ranked Nyika, a victory over the No 6-ranked Masson would guarantee the No 1 IBF ranking and a second tilt at the world title he boldly attempted to claim as a short-notice, stand-in opponent for undefeated knockout king Jai Opetaia in January last year.
Nyika admits he didn’t give himself enough time to prepare for that fight, but says there is a different feeling this time around.
“I’ve had all of these amazing experiences, winning gold medals at international amateur tournaments, Commonwealth Games, Olympics and none of it really felt the way I was hoping it would feel,” he said. “This one is exactly how I was hoping it would be.
Floyd Masson (left) and David Nyika will face off in Auckland on August 8. Photo / Photosport
“Masson’s never fought anybody with the skills that I possess. He’s a rough, tough, rock’em, sock’em kind of guy, but I’ve known him for so long, that he can box and he can move.
“I’ve had about 15 weeks to think about this fight, and it’s the only fight that makes sense right now. So I put that loss behind me and focus on the way forward.”
It will be just the third professional appearance on home soil for Nyika since debuting on the undercard of New Zealand great Joseph Parker’s victory over compatriot Junior Fa in 2021.
The fight will be broadcast on TVNZ as part of its pay-per-view model being used to broadcast the Football World Cup.
The undercard will feature a battle of the codes with a bout between former New Zealand Warriors NRL star Manu Vatuvei and former All Black Rene Ranger, while Hemi Ahio makes his long-awaited return to the ring against Kiki Toa Leutele.
Full fight card schedule
David Nyika v Floyd Masson – cruiserweight (12 x 3 min rounds)
Hemi Ahio v Kiki Toa Leutele – heavyweight (10 x 3 min rounds)
Sheilla Yama v Jessica Messina – super lightweight (10 x 2 min rounds)
Manu Vatuvei v Rene Ranger – heavyweight (4 x 3 min rounds)
John Parker v Nik Charalampous – cruiserweight (6 x 3 min rounds)
Alex Leapai Junior v Arsene Fosso – heavyweight (6 x 3 min rounds)
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.