FIGHTING FOR GOLD
Kiwi Nyika qualifies for boxing final
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 medallist beat Englishman Cheavon Clarke in a unanimous points decision on the Gold Coast yesterday, while Whateley won the first semi 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 to keep my distance. ‘‘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.
‘‘They didn’t let me get ahead of myself – I didn’t even know what the scorecards were. I felt like I was building into the fight.’’
Clarke won the first round 10-9 on all five judges’ scorecards but Nyika won the 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.
Nyika was guaranteed a medal when his quarterfinal opponent from the Cameroon, Christian Ndzie Tsoye, failed to front.
Earlier, New Zealand’s Troy Garton knew she’d 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 Swedish-born Anja Stridsman.
‘‘I’ve got a completely torn ACL,’’ Garton said, pointing to her right knee.
‘‘So I can’t . . . [Garton bounced back into a side-on stance] . . . ow, that hurts.’’
The injury occurred the day before she was due to leave, when sparring with the team.