Rising Kiwi boxer David Nyika has continued the undefeated start to his professional boxing career, with a straightforward technical knockout win in his cruiserweight rematch with Louis Marsters at Melbourne.
Nyika, 27, was in complete control from the opening bell against the NZ-born Melburnian, using his sizable reach and height advantage to devastating effect at Margaret Court Arena to set the stage for compatriot Joseph Parker's headline act against Faiga Opelu.
The accumulation of damage eventually took its toll on Marsters, and the referee intervened to put a halt to the bout in the fourth and penultimate round, as Nyika prevailed without the faintest of scratches to his paint job.
The result hands Nyika a sixth straight victory - his fifth inside the distance and second in less than a year against Marsters, whom he beat back in July, via second-round TKO.
The performance oozed class from the outset, providing another reminder why the twice Commonwealth Games gold medallist is widely regarded as a genuine title contender of the future.
Sporting his trademark gladiator get-up, the Hamiltonian strode to the ring with part-time training partner and heavyweight king Tyson Fury in tow, and immediately established the gulf in quality with his overmatched opponent.
Nyika bided his time on the outside, switching stances regularly to keep Marsters guessing and keeping him firmly on the end of his jab.
Frustrated at his inability to close the gap, Marsters began chasing with desperate winging shots, and Nyika was happy to oblige with heavy uppercuts and thunderous blows to the body, ramping up the volume and power.
Eventually, the referee beat Marsters' corner to the white towel to wave an end to the bout, bringing UFC world champion and colleague Israel Adesanya - among many others - to his feet ringside with applause.
"It was just a matter of being a little bit more patient and also anticipating the storm," Nyika said.
"He's a tough guy, and I knew if I couldn't put him away with head and body shots, he was going to stay there all day, so I just had to be a little bit more patient and trust the process."
Nyika showed the same degree of restraint, when considering the next move in his burgeoning career.
"I think it's going to be a slow rise, I'll be honest, but I'm learning and getting good experience," he said.
"I just want to keep working towards bigger fights and stay humble, because this is a tough sport."
