Boxing: Floyd Masson keen on future fight against David Nyika
Waikato boxer Floyd Masson is preparing for his fight against John Parker tomorrow – however, he has already hinted at big plans for the future.
If Masson wins the IBF Pan Pacific Cruiserweight title against Parker, he could be catapulted into the IBF cruiserweight Top 10 ranking, which would put
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NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Boxing: Floyd Masson wins fight against John Parker, eyes taking on David Nyika
'[He] could've easily of gotten [sic] out any lesser opponent on the night'. Masson had to stay patient in the fight and just slowly break down Parker. Masson landed significant body shots, which took a toll on Parker and eventually put him down. However, Parker wouldn't have quit on his own, so to protect his boxer, his trainer threw in the towel. Masson admitted he wanted to land a knockout-reel punch, but held on to the pressure, which he said led to his win. Now, Masson has his eyes firmly on a special Waikato bout against David Nyika. Floyd Masson (right) has taken home the IBF Pan Pacific Cruiserweight title. Photo / Combat Analytics Nyika recently had a stoppage win over another New Zealander, Nikolas Charalampous, which means, like Masson, he has great potential to rise into the IBF's top 10. With both in the top 10 of the cruiserweight division, this could lead to a world title eliminator fight. The winner would go on to fight current IBF world champion Jai Opetaia of Australia. Di Carlo said the Masson-Nyika bout was likely. 'I really think it's a must – David Nyika and Floyd Masson need to meet, to determine who is the next in line for a showdown with Jai Opetaia.' Masson reaffirmed he was keen on the fight. 'If they sent me a fight offer in the next two weeks, I would take it, I am ready to go, my body feels good, I am always keen to fight.' Masson and Nyika know each other well, being boxers who grew up together in the amateur boxing scene in Waikato. Both now live and train in Australia. The two almost faced each other in September 2024 when Nyika was scheduled to fight Blake Caparello. When Caparello failed a drug test and Nyika needed a new opponent, Masson was one of the potential replacements. However, Nyika ended up fighting American boxer Tommy Karpency. Masson previously said he would love to fight Nyika, but he would love for the fight to happen in Waikato. If that bout is unable to become reality, Masson said he was also interested in a rematch with Italian Fabio Turchi, who is currently ranked 11th by the WBO. Benjamin Watt is a retired boxing judge and New Zealand boxing writer with a decade of experience. Watt has also been BoxRec's New Zealand record-keeper since 2014.
NZ Herald
29-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Boxing: Floyd Masson keen on future fight against David Nyika
Waikato boxer Floyd Masson will fight John Parker tomorrow. Waikato boxer Floyd Masson is preparing for his fight against John Parker tomorrow – however, he has already hinted at big plans for the future. If Masson wins the IBF Pan Pacific Cruiserweight title against Parker, he could be catapulted into the IBF cruiserweight Top 10 ranking, which would put
NZ Herald
26-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Northland's Lani Daniels set for world title clash with Claressa Shields
Daniels, 37, hasn't fought since September when she beat Nigerian Bolatito Oluwole in Hamilton to retain her IBF light heavyweight title. The fight with Shields will be the first time Daniels has fought outside of New Zealand. Of Ngāti Hine and Ngāpuhi descent, affiliated with Te Orewai hapū in Te Tai Tokerau, Daniels is known for giving back to her community through free boxing training for youth in Pipiwai and in Whangārei. A trained mental health nurse, she came to that profession and to boxing after personal struggles she suffered as a teen and in her early 20s following the death of her younger brother to leukaemia. 'Boxing saved my life,' Daniels has reportedly said. 'It gave me purpose, discipline, and a way to give back.' Under the guidance of coach Dion McNabney at Nabby's Boxing Gym, Daniels became a two-time New Zealand amateur champion. Lani Daniels is draped in a korowai outside Tau Henare Marae in Pipiwai. Photo / NZME She made her professional debut in 2017, defeating fellow Northlander Trish Vaka by unanimous decision. Two months later, she beat Vaka again to claim her first national title — the NZPBA Light Heavyweight title. After a brief retirement in 2022 due to burnout, Daniels returned stronger than ever, eventually capturing both the IBF World Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight titles. This year, she received top honours at the Northland Sports Awards. She currently trains in Auckland with John Conway. Physically, she and Shields are closely matched. Shields, 30, stands at 173cm, with a 173cm reach, while Daniels is 169cm, with a 171cm reach. Shields, known as the self-proclaimed GWOAT (Greatest Woman of All Time), is the only boxer — male or female — to become undisputed champion in three different divisions in the four-belt era. She has never been beaten in the ring. At a recent press conference in the leadup to the fight, Shields tried to rile Daniels by saying: 'I'mma lay your ass out, and then your coach will have to pick you up. I'm not playing around.' Daniels, however, remained unfazed, reportedly saying: 'Shields is the best. That's why I want to fight her. If you want to be the best, you've got to fight the best.' Her 'walk-out' (entry) to the ring will feature footage filmed at Tau Henare Marae, showcasing her cultural pride and the support of her community. 'I carry my people with me into that ring,' Daniels said. 'Win or lose, I'm going to show the world what it means to be Māori, to be from Northland, to be a fighter.' Had the fight been scheduled for earlier this year, Daniels might have been the first Māori boxer to be crowned an undisputed world champion. However, that honour went to Cherneka Johnson, who made history in April by defeating American Shurretta Metcalf at Madison Square Garden. Despite a height disadvantage, Johnson dominated the fight, landing 75 punches to Metcalf's 21 by round eight. The bout was stopped for Metcalf's safety, and Johnson raised her arms as the first New Zealand-born and Māori boxer to unify all four major titles in any weight class. Sarah Curtis is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on a wide range of issues. She has nearly 20 years' experience in journalism, much of which she spent court reporting in Gisborne and on the East Coast. She is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
