Kiwi boxer David Nyika has made an assured start to his Olympics campaign, dominating Morocco's Youness Baalla to earn a unanimous decision win in their round of 16 heavyweight tussle.
But the fight ended on a sour note, as Baalla - frustrated after being outclassed from the opening bell - appeared to attempt to bite Nyika's ear.
In scenes reminiscent of Mike Tyson's infamous attack on Evander Holyfield back in 1997, Baalla clearly looked to take a chunk of Nyika's cheek and ear, bearing his teeth in what the commentators described as an "act of absolute madness".
Nyika complained to Sri Lankan referee Nelka Shiromala Thampi, who dismissed the incident without punishment, despite repeated warnings for grabbing the Hamiltonian.
After the fight, the 25-year-old said he felt Baalla bite his cheekbone.
"He didn't get a full mouthful," Nyika told TVNZ post-fight. "Luckily he had his mouthguard in and I was a bit sweaty.
"But come on, man this is the Olympics, get your shit together."
Controversy aside, Nyika's performance reaffirmed his medal pedigree, as the towering Kiwi used his precision jab to dictate the fight, controlling range expertly as he cruised to victory.
He'll advance to the quarter-finals on Friday, when he'll take on Belarus' Uladzislau Smiahlikau - just one win away from breaking New Zealand's long-standing medal drought in the boxing ring.
The last Kiwi to win a boxing medal was David Tua at Barcelona 1992, when the 'Tuamanator' claimed bronze.
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