Boxing: David Nyika continues impressive start to pro career

David Nyika looked in his element in Manchester. Photo / Photosport

David Nyika made an immediate impression in his UK debut to secure a first round TKO victory over his outclassed French opponent, before proclaiming his arrival in the cruiserweight scene.

Nyika, fighting on the Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora undercard in Manchester, forced Anthony Carpin to retire after the first round from an apparent bicep injury.

Carpin barely landed a blow in round one and had swelling above his left eye from Nyika's consistent shots. The 31-year-old had no answer for Nyika's speed and, come the end of the opening round, clearly wanted no further part in the fight to suffer his third successive defeat.

Nyika's first pro fight lasted all of 28 seconds on the undercard of Parker's win against Junior Fa in February. It was a similar story in this bout with the Olympic bronze medallist - New Zealand's first in 29 years - and dual Commonwealth Games champion matched against a vastly inferior opponent.

David Nyika throws a punch at an unbalanced Anthony Carpin. Photo / Photosport

After his first camp with trainer Andy Lee, Nyika savoured his time under the bright lights. He smiled on the way to the ring before immediately using his height and reach advantage to settle behind the jab and load up the right hand.

Nyika dropped five kilograms to reach the 90.7kg cruiserweight limit, and after impressing on the Matchroom card the 26-year-old will be keen to further build on his 2-0 pro record before attempting to claim his third Commonwealth Games gold medal at the Birmingham event in late July early August.

"I've announced myself here in the UK as a threat to all cruiserweights," Nyika told IFL TV. "I'm pretty happy with the result.

"I would have liked to have put him down but I'm glad he gets to go home with his brains intact because this is a dangerous sport and I'm pretty sure I've dethatched his bicep which is no fun for him. I consider that a clean stoppage. How many people could say they stopped someone with an arm punch?

"I'd like to think I've got something to offer to the UK public. My mum was born in London, my dad is half Welsh, this is the motherland so I'd like to announce David Nyika is here.

"This is an amazing opportunity and I'd like to think that I can continue and keep building that fan base because there's nothing like a loud British crowd, they're some of the best supporters in the world.

"There are plenty of cruiserweights out there I'd like to deal to. I have no idea how the future looks, but I'm going all the way up."