Kiwi Nyika to fight for gold
Kiwi pugilist David Nyika will take a 3-0 record head-to-head record into his gold medal fight at the Commonwealth Games.
Nyika will meet Australia’s Jason Whateley in the men’s 91kg boxing class final today.
The Glasgow 2014 gold medalist beat Englishman Cheavon Clarke in a unanimous points decision on the Gold Coast yesterday, while Whateley won the first semifinal in a unanimous points decision over India’s Naman Tanwar.
‘‘I’m interested to see what Jase does differently next time, because he brings a similar game plan to Cheav.
‘‘Every time he’s evolved, he’s brought something different so – it’s going to be a really interesting fight.’’
Nyika said seeing off the determined Englishman went exactly to plan.
‘‘I felt like I was building into
the fight – Cheav was always going to bring some issues. I’m glad he did – that brings out the best of me.
‘‘I wanted
‘‘Guys like my first fight was tricky because he didn’t really want to win – Cheav wants to win. I think he’s ranked No 5 in the world so it was a great opportunity to get in the ring with him, let alone beat him.
‘‘That’s what I prefer – I like guys coming on, letting me work off my back-foot shots.’’
Nyika said he’s never sure whether he’s winning or losing when in the ring. ‘‘I rely on my corner to let me know. They keep me pretty honest.’’
Clarke won the first round 10-9 on all five judges’ scorecards but Nyika won the to keep my distance. next two rounds unanimously.
Clarke was naturally disappointed after proving a tough opponent.
‘‘Looking at it from the outside you’d probably think I’ve progressed a lot, but I know I should have won this.
‘‘No one comes out for a bronze medal. No disrespect to anybody else, but I’m a sore loser,’’ he said.
Later last night, New Zealand’s Alexis Pritchard lost a split decison to Michaela Walsh (Northern Ireland) in the women’s 57kg division semifinal, sealing a bronze medal for Pritchard.
The same fate befell Troy Garton who knew she had torn an ACL in her knee before she stepped into the ring.
Garton claimed bronze in the women’s 57-60kg class when she lost a unanimous points decision in her semifinal against Australia’s Swedishborn Anja Stridsman.
‘‘I’ve got a completely torn ACL,’’ Garton said, pointing to her right knee.