New Zealand boxer David Nyika is back in the ring this Wednesday night. Photo: PhotoSport / Steve McArthur
New Zealand boxer David Nyika understands that one mistake, one lapse in concentration, can end a career in a split second.
The Olympic Bronze medalist still boasts a perfect 5-0 record, four of those wins coming via knockout, and has been biding his time before stepping in the ring again.
His team have had great difficulty finding a willing opponent for the powerful cruiserweight.
"I guess it's the nature of being being a dangerous fight for anybody," Nyika said.
However, he said he has learnt to be patient.
"I never wanted to rush a professional career because it's very, very easy to make a mistake and when you only have one run, you never know how long that's going to be. It might be 20 years, it might be two years. So I just want to make sure I do it right."
Nyika said promoters who haven't signed him onto their roster are reluctant to invite him on their shows.
"Chances are you might be beating one of the guys and giving them a loss on the record so I totally understand that. I know that the right deal is coming and it will come at the right time."
One man who is prepared to take on Nyika again is Australian Louis Marsters (3-4), who was knocked out in under four minutes when the pair met in July last year.
"He was the only one to put his hand up, everybody else said no. He obviously has a chip on the shoulder so I say 'bring it on.'"
Nyika returns to the ring this Wednesday night in a re-match against Marsters on the undercard of Joseph Parker's fight with Faiga 'Django' Opelu in Melbourne.
"It's been a long time since I last got in the ring, so just busting to get back in there and put on a show or the people back home and for the Australian public."
David Nyika (left) is helping Joseph Parker train for his fight against Junior Fa Photo: Photosport
He hopes it will be a catalyst to more frequent fights as he works toward becoming a 12 round championship fighter.
"I just need to get as much activity as I can throughout the rest of the year and start heading towards those those bigger fights."
Nyika said he took plenty of lessons from his first fight with Marsters on the Gold Coast.
"He came out really hot in the first round. I think he blew his wad in the first 90 seconds."
The 27-year-old said he's expecting a another fire fight early.
"Don't expect the fight to go the distance. The nature of the way this guy fights and I'm a competitor so he throws fire at me, I'm gonna throw it right back."
Given the opportunity though, Nyika said he hopes to be smarter this time and showcase more of his skills.
"I just felt like I took the first possible option to dismantle him and disregarded defence a little bit. I'd like to wear him down a little bit. I think I rushed in our first match. I'd like to show a little bit more maturity."
He said he is fizzing at the prospect of fighting on a Joseph Parker card.
The main event will see Parker take on Faiga 'Django' Opelu in a Commonwealth heavyweight title fight.
"It's really cool. Joe's been a great mentor for me. I can guarantee that his fight is gonna be exciting. I've done a lot of work with Django. Django is a beast. Joe has definitely got his hands full but it's gonna be an awesome spectacle for everybody involved."
Nyika said he has had a great camp in Gatton rural Queensland where he is training and living with Noel Thornberry.
"We're looking to get back in the ring pretty soon in the next four to six weeks. Hopefully I can steamroll through this one and just keep moving forward."
He said he is enjoying the more relaxed lifestyle.
"The UK was a little bit too far. I can still just pop over the ditch to visit family so it's just nice to be a bit closer to home."
Nyika will meet Marsters in five rounds at cruiserweight at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday May 24 at approximately 9pm.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT