'What a joke': Boxing world erupts over 29-second farce
The boxing world was left underwhelmed and frustrated after promising New Zealand talent David Nyika won his professional debut in just 29 seconds.
Fans were eager to see Nyika, a Commonwealth gold medallist, make his professional debut on the undercard of New Zealand's biggest fight night event.
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But the boxing world didn't get to see much of the prodigious talent in action after he dispatched of Jesse Maio in 20 seconds.
Nyika caught Maio around the ear with a big right hook and his opponent was sent crashing to the floor.
Maio complained to the referee he was caught from behind the head, but it was all for nothing as he didn't meet the count.
Fans on social media were left bitterly disappointed with Maio's performance and the anti-climatic finish.
Is this Maio fella for real?😂😂😂 he’s leaned in, fell over and not got up for the count of 10, what a joke 😂😂😂 #ParkerFa
— Talking Boxing (@boxing_talking) February 27, 2021
You’ll remember David Nyika from the 2014 CWG John. We knew he was pretty special there, pity he didn’t get a chance to show it today. Look forward to seeing him again.
— craig stephen (@boxannouncer) February 27, 2021
Cruiserweight David Nyika won his professional debut in just 29 seconds against Jesse Maio (3-1, 1 KO). Nyika dropped Maio and Maio didn't beat the count complaining about being behind the head.
— fightnews.com (@fightnews) February 27, 2021
Got to feel for David Nyika there. Maio wanted no part of that and found a way out after just 30 seconds.
— James Lupton (@R8UND) February 27, 2021
Controversy there in Nyika’s first fight - what an anti climax
Good shots from David Nyika though straight out the gate— Titch (@Litl_lady_t) February 27, 2021
David Nyika just sent him straight to the Gulag 🤣
— Arsène Lupin (@litwiththeclip) February 27, 2021
Despite the short showing, Nyika's future looks bright and even apologised to the fans after the fight.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to put the show on I wanted to," he said after the fight.
Joseph Parker makes statement
Heavyweight contender Joseph Parker was able to come away with a hard-fought victory over Junior Fa to jeep his title dreams alive.
Billed as the biggest boxing event in New Zealand history, Parker won 119-109, 115-113, 117,111 on the judges scorecards.
However, Parker would have been looking for a statement in the fight to put him right back in the title contention.
Fa, hitherto unbeaten in 19 fights, put on a good display throughout the 12 rounds, but Parker's volume of punches was too much and showed on the scorecards.
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