David Nyika title eliminator fight to be broadcast on TVNZ+
David Nyika's IBF cruiserweight world title eliminator against Floyd Masson in August will be available to view with a TVNZ+ Event Pass.
The fight at Auckland's Eventfinda Stadium on August 8 could propel Kiwi boxer Nyika back on to the world stage, with the winner going on to fight for the vacant IBF world title.
The event is the first pay-per-view boxing match broadcast by TVNZ.
TVNZ’s head of sports, events & partnerships Melodie Robinson said: "It's a fantastic opportunity to partner with Duco Events to bring this spectacle to audiences later this year. They consistently deliver an incredible atmosphere and world-class events.
"With a line-up of quality bouts, we’re excited to offer Kiwi audiences the opportunity to watch all fights with a TVNZ+ Event Pass."
More undercard bouts were announced this morning, including a bout between former All Black Rene Ranger and former Kiwis league player Manu Vatuvei, who has two knockout wins from his previous two fights.
One of the most significant additions to the card sees undefeated Kiwi boxer and current IBF International super lightweight champion Sheilla Yama (7-0, 3 KOs) defend her title against Australia's Jessica Messina (8-1, 3 KOs).
Auckland's Hemi Ahio (24-1, 18 KOs) faces Hawke's Bay fighter Kiki Toa Leutele (12-2-2, 8 KOs) in a major heavyweight showdown.
Another former All Black, Liam Messam, will take on the experienced Luke Siaki in a celebrity boxing contest.
Messam has embraced the sport since transitioning from rugby and boasts a 7-1 record in the ring, while Siaki brings a wealth of experience from more than 80 amateur fights, including multiple New Zealand youth national titles and a New Zealand Golden Gloves title.
John Parker (11-2, 3 KOs), younger brother of former WBO Heavyweight Champion Joseph Parker, will return to the ring against experienced Auckland cruiserweight Nik Charalampous (26-7-2, 12 KOs) in what promises to be a hard-hitting all-New Zealand clash.
Adding further firepower to the undercard is undefeated Australian heavyweight Alex Leapai Junior (10-0-1, 9 KOs), who will face Canberra's Arsene Fosso (5-5, 3 KOs).
Emerging Australian prospect Cassidy Thornberry (4-0, 1 KO) son of Nyika’s trainer Noel Thornberry, will also feature on the card against New Zealand's Ross Malthus (2-4, 2 KOs) in a welterweight contest.
Duco Events director David Higgins said the latest announcements reinforced the scale and quality of the event.
"This is shaping up to be one of the biggest fight nights New Zealand has seen in years," Higgins said.
"The main event already has massive world title implications, but we also wanted to build an undercard that delivers genuine entertainment and showcases some of the best boxing talent from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific, while also delivering some fantastic crossover matchups featuring well-known sporting personalities that fans will be eager to see step into the ring.
"Partnering with TVNZ+ is another major step forward for the sport here. It means more New Zealanders than ever before will be able to access a premium boxing product on a world-class platform.”
A TVNZ+ Event Pass will be available to purchase closer to the event.
IBF Cruiserweight World Title Eliminator
David Nyika vs Floyd Masson – Cruiserweight (12 x 3 min rounds)
Hemi Ahio vs Kiki Toa Leutele – Heavyweight (10 x 3 min rounds)
IBF International Super Lightweight Title
Sheilla Yama vs Jessica Messina – Super Lightweight (10 x 2 min rounds)
Manu Vatuvei vs Rene Ranger – Heavyweight (4 x 3 min rounds)
John Parker vs Nik Charalampous – Cruiserweight (6 x 3 min rounds)
Alex Leapai Junior vs Arsene Fosso – Heavyweight (6 x 3 min rounds)
Cassidy Thornberry vs Ross Malthus – Welterweight (4 x 3 min rounds)
Liam Messam vs Luke Siaki – Heavyweight (4 x 3 min rounds)