Boxing: David Nyika confirms Commonwealth Games intentions ahead of return to professional realm

David Nyika claimed a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this year. Photo / Photosport

David Nyika wants his shot at history.

After back-to-back Commonwealth Games gold medals and an Olympic bronze, the 26-year-old boxer has turned his attention to the professional ranks, with his second bout scheduled for December 19.

However, his days in the amateur ranks may not be done just yet, with Nyika confirming his desire to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

Already having made history as the first man to win Commonwealth gold in two different weight classes (light heavyweight in 2014 and heavyweight in 2018), Nyika has the opportunity to become the third to win a medal at three straight Commonwealth Games – or the first to win three gold medals in a row - should he get to the Games in Birmingham.

"I think there's only two other athletes that have ever done a threepeat at the Commonwealth Games, so that's a pretty cool stat if I can get that one done," Nyika said.

With the Olympic Games having been shifted to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commonwealth Games will take place just a year later, opening the door for Nyika to return to the amateur ranks without having to put any further hold on his professional aspirations.

He got a taste for the professional environment in February, making his debut in the cruiserweight division in February on the Joseph Parker v Junior Fa card at Spark Arena in Auckland, where he won via knockout early in the first round.

Currently in Morecambe, England, preparing for his upcoming bout against an opponent yet to be named on the undercard of Parker v Derek Chisora II later this month, Nyika has indicated he intends to remain based in the UK which would mean the Games in Birmingham next year would be nearby.

"At the moment I'm just taking one thing at a time. I have this next fight and hopefully I'll get a couple more fights before the Comm Games, but that's definitely the direction I want to head in at the moment."

The Games would serve as a further opportunity to increase his stocks on the market with promoters as he is yet to commit to any sort of long-term professional deal, although his upcoming bout will be on a card put together by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Sport.

"At the moment I have all my doors open and am not pinned down to any one promo company. My pathway forward could very much change depending on how I go and how I'm received by the UK public. But at the moment I'm very much a free agent.

"I'm just trying to get all my ducks in a row, especially considering that I still have the Commonwealth Games just around the corner in Birmingham. At the moment, I just want to make sure I've got all my options open and that I can make enough money to get by in the meantime. I'd really like to sign a big contract next year."