“The winner of this bout will be designated as the #1 contender and the mandatory challenger in the division. Formal sanction will be granted once [the] IBF receives both the signed contracts for this bout.”
The chance to contest a cruiserweight world title emerged after the IBF stripped Samoan-Australian Jai Opetaia, widely considered the king of the division, after he signed with Dana White’s breakaway Zuffa boxing organisation earlier this year.
Nyika suffered his sole knockout defeat to Opetaia in January 2025, after accepting the world title fight on short notice.
Eighteen months later, he stands just one victory, one decisive punch, away from a second chance to challenge for the IBF title.
This time around, Nyika is savouring a three-month preparation window for Te Awamutu-raised southpaw Masson.
“I have nothing but admiration for him,” Nyika said. That’s what’s going to drive me through this camp – wondering what Floyd’s doing. He’s a diesel engine.
“He’s one of the good guys of the sport. Everything he’s achieved in boxing, he’s done through hard work and discipline, because he’s not a talented fighter.
“Floyd doesn’t do anything that scares me. He attacks the body well but I’m taller, I’ve got great footwork; I can punch at range and fight on the inside. I don’t expect to get everything my way. He’s battle-hardened but I believe he’ll bring the best out of me. I’m expecting a hard, gruelling fight.
“I believe I beat Floyd Masson and I believe I beat Viddal Riley. They’re both great opponents. They don’t necessarily do any one thing really well but they’re well-rounded, tough, strong, fit.
“This is a big fight for boxing and New Zealand. I’d love for the community to get behind it. This is the peak of the sport, and it just happens that two of the top contenders are Kiwis abroad.
“Let’s bring it home, get our army together and make a big party out of it.”
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
