Nyika to take on Maio in pro debut

As the global Covid-19 pandemic continues to heap uncertainty on the Tokyo Olympics, Kiwi boxer David Nyika is still working towards his Olympic dream.

The two time Commonwealth Games gold medallist will make his professional debut as a cruiserweight on the Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa card at Spark Arena on February 27.

His opponent, Jesse Maio (3-0), was announced at a press conference in Auckland yesterday.

As have many sportspeople, Nyika, 25, has endured a frustrating run in the last 10 months since the Covid-19 pandemic ground the international amateur boxing scene to a halt.

He just missed qualification for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and has long planned to try his hand in the professional ranks post the now delayed Tokyo Olympics, that was originally scheduled for last year.

Nyika, who has been in Parker’s camp as a sparring partner, has already qualified to compete in Tokyo and is a medal hope for New Zealand if the Games go ahead this year.

Nyika, along with many amateur boxers around the world, has gained an exemption to have a limited number of professional fights before the Tokyo Games due to no international AIBA tournaments being held during the pandemic.

Tokyo’s organisers have insisted the Games will still go ahead this year but Sir Keith Mills, who was deputy chairman of the London Olympics in 2012, believes it’s unlikely the Games will go-ahead.

‘‘If I was sitting in the shoes of the organising committee in Tokyo, I would be making plans for a cancellation and I’m sure they have plans for a cancellation. They’ve got another month or so before they need to make a call,’’ Mills said.

Despite the unknowns, Nyika is still pushing towards Tokyo as well as his professional debut.

‘‘I’m looking forward to getting this first one under my belt and then looking at developing towards the Olympics in late July early August,’’ Nyika said yesterday.