Kiwi boxer David Nyika has continued his undefeated professional run with a fourth-round knockout of Michael Seitz on the undercard of the Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk event in Saudi Arabia.
The previously undefeated German presented the biggest challenge to date in Nyika's young pro career, but the Hamiltonian was up to the task, clinching the vacant IBF international cruiserweight title with a clinical performance under the brightest lights to date.
The result extends Nyika's record to 9-0, with eight of those coming inside the distance.
Nyika managed the opening couple of rounds with composure, before ramping up the pressure in the third round, with a salvo to Seitz's body that clearly took its toll.
The end seemed inevitable in a one-sided fourth round, when Nyika's constant tenderising shots eventually saw the referee interject and wave off the contest.
Working as an analyst on the DAZN broadcast, fellow Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker admitted his compatriot's efforts had made another statement on a huge stage.
"This was the perfect time for Nyika to establish himself in front of the world,” Parker said. "It took him a while to warm into it, but he showed a variation of punches.
"There’s still a lot to work on, but it’s a great start for him to get a good win."
In the main event, Oleksandr Usyk earned a split-decision win over Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000.
