Nyika still eyes Commonwealth Games
Joshua Nyika felt hard done by after the judges’ decision went against the Hamilton boxer in his ‘ugly’ fight with Leroy Hindley last Saturday.
Defeat to Hindley, who represented New Zealand at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, means Nyika won’t compete at the Oceania Games on the Gold Coast in June.
Nyika and Hindley - ranked No 2 and No 1 in New Zealand’s welterweight ranks - were the main event of the Young Guns 4 show held at YMCA Hamilton, which the Wellington fighter won via unanimous decision after three rounds.
The likes of Nyika, 26, and Hindley, 24, are in the mix for New Zealand’s team for next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Losing to Hindley undoubtedly dents Nyika’s of hopes qualifying for that event across the Tasman, where younger brother David is planning to fight after winning gold in Glasgow three years ago.
But a rematch is likely for this year with nationals still to come, although a date and venue hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Nyika feels aggrieved at losing to Hindley for the second time in three years but New Zealand’s selectors still have discretion before selecting five boxers for the Commonwealth Games.
‘‘I thought I dropped him pretty clearly,’’ Nyika said.
‘‘I dropped him, he fell over and he was dazed afterwards.
‘‘To some people it would be
‘‘To some people it would be done, but I feel kind of irritated and keen to get back in there.’’