On a night that promised to relaunch their boxing careers on the world stage, three of New Zealand's leading pugilists have left more questions than answers over their pro futures.
While American lightweight Devin Haney provided a masterclass to become the world's youngest-ever undisputed four-belt champion in the main event, Kiwis Junior Fa, Hemi Ahio and David Nyika will have left Melbourne's Marvel Stadium disappointed with how their nights ended.
Cruiserweight Nyika will have done his reputation little real damage, despite going the six-round distance against stubborn Melbourne carpenter Karim Maatalla, who accepted the contest at late notice, but enhanced his reputation well beyond his 2-2 record.
The two-time Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic bronze medallist logged some much-needed ringtime, after dispensing with his previous two pro opponents in 3m 29s total, and will have at least learnt he has much to still learn, if he hopes to challenge for title belts.
Nyika, 26, is still at the start of his professional journey, but the nature of Fa's defeat by Aussie journeyman Lucas Browne inside the first round suggests he may be nearer the end.
Browne, 43, has held titles and fought some genuine fighters, including current WBC contender Dillian Whyte, but was knocked out by former league star Paul Gallen and seemed on his last legs. He stunned Fa twice in the opening round and the contest probably should not have continued past the first knockdown.
Fa's only previous loss was his 12-round points defeat by Joseph Parker in February 2021, but the sight of him struggling to find his feet against Browne raised real doubts about his ongoing prospects.
Moments later, City Kickboxing stablemate Hemi Ahio was left clearly frustrated, as Ghanaian opponent Christian Ndzie Tsoye refused to leave his corner for the second round, citing an apparent injury to his right, suffered or aggravated during the opening stanza.
Ahio, 31, nicknamed 'Tongan Tyson', probably needed this exposure more than his fellow Kiwis, as he seeks that one marquee performance that catapults him to the next level. While his unbeaten record remains unblemished at 19-0, the world is still none the wiser over his ability in the ring.
