David Nyika and Floyd Masson will face off in Auckland. Both fighters are living and training in Australia, but are originally from Waikato.
The long-awaited battle of the Mooloo region, between David Nyika and Floyd Masson, is taking shape as both fighters prepare to step into the ring against each other later this year.
The NZ Herald obtained a letter from the International Boxing Federation stating the fight, an eliminator for the IBF world cruiserweight title, will take place on August 8 in Auckland.
The title is vacant after the IBF opted to strip it from Australian Jai Opetaia for breaking their rules with his March bout against Brandon Glanton, a non-IBF-approved or IBF-sanctioned event, organised by Zuffa Boxing.
Zuffa Boxing is a boxing promotion company run by UFC’s Dana White, which uses a similar model to the UFC and has its own titles and ranking system.
The winner of the Nyika versus Masson bout will then fight undefeated Viddal Riley, of the UK, for the IBF world cruiserweight title.
Riley has earned his world title shot after a win over Mateusz Masternak, of Poland, last month.
For Masson, originally of Te Awamutu, fighting Nyika, originally of Hamilton, has been a long time coming.
He had already voiced his interest in taking on Nyika.
“He is one of the best in the world, and that’s who I want to test myself against,” Masson said in July last year.
He and Nyika know each other well, being boxers who grew up together in the amateur boxing scene in Waikato. Both now live and train in Australia.
“I’ve known David for a really long time, since we were kids, pretty much,” Masson told the Waikato Herald recently.
“I’m just excited that we both get to fight for a world title eliminator and it’s a big fight for New Zealand.
“He’s probably the person I would love to do it with, it will be a great, great fight.”
Nyika has been seen in Hamilton recently, visiting his old gym and catching up with his former trainer, Cairo George.
Speaking to the NZ Herald last month, Nyika said he had “nothing but admiration” for Masson.
“That’s what’s going to drive me through this camp – wondering what Floyd’s doing. He’s a diesel engine," Nyika said.
“He’s one of the good guys of the sport. Everything he’s achieved in boxing he’s done through hard work and discipline.”
The venue for the fight is yet to be confirmed.
Both boxers were hoping for a fight in New Zealand, though Masson’s team initially made a case for a bout in Australia.
Masson, like Nyika, had been eyeing a fight on their old stomping ground, though.
“That’s a fight to happen in New Zealand, I reckon, especially back in the Waikato,” Masson said last year.
When speaking to the NZ Herald last month, Nyika agreed.
“I think we should do it in Hamilton. Floyd is from Te Awamutu, I’m from Hamilton. The Claudelands Events Centre is 400m down the road from the house I grew up in. I know both of our [groups of supporting] people will come out in numbers.”
Claudelands Event Centre has hosted several boxing events in the past, most notably David Tua’s retirement fight against Alexander Ustinov in 2013, as well as two of Joseph Parker’s fights and one of Lani Daniels’ world title fights.
Now that it’s confirmed the fight will be held in Auckland, Masson said: “Man, I would have loved the fight to be in the Waikato as we are both from there, but I know a lot of our supporters will be travelling to Auckland to come support us both.
“[It has taken] a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance, and I think our styles will make a great fight.”
New Zealand boxing commentator Isaac Savage said the bout was going to be an important one for Masson and Nyika.
“With both boys being hailing from ... [Waikato] bragging rights on ... who really is the best [of] the best in ANZ at this weight [are on the line].
“Until Nykia faced ... Jai Opetaia [last year] he was undefeated and Floyd’s record [was] ... only tarnished by the experienced and world-class Mateusz Masternak [in 2024].
“Nykia is slick, fast and and jabs with precision, while Masson loves being in the pocket with a gutsy southpaw style. [The fight is] def one for the purists and all Anzac fight fans!”
Up-and-coming boxer Connor Campbell, who like Nyika is hoping to compete at the Commonwealth Games, said the bout was also important for young, local fighters.
“David, representing Hamilton and Floyd, representing Te Awamutu, creates a battle of the Mooloo region,” Campbell said.
“It is ... local rivalry that is showcased on the world stage.
“[It] also highlights the natural talent of Waikato to produce world-class athletes.
“It showcases to us emerging young boxers and the public that hard work and determination can pay off.”
– Additional reporting by Liam Napier
Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec’s New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.