David Nyika is eyeing a place on the Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk rematch card, and yearning for a tougher test, after cruising through his Auckland main-event debut.
The New Zealand favourite, based in the rural Queensland town of Gatton, was far superior to American challenger Tommy Karpency in their cruiserweight clash at Viaduct Events Centre on Saturday.
The Tokyo bronze medallist improved to 10-0 as a professional when the veteran's corner threw in the towel in the third round of their IBF and WBO-sanctioned duel.
Karpency, a late replacement, only arrive on Thursday and was quickly outclassed, a body blow crippling him and another fall leading to a quick surrender from his team.
"It was a combination of some early body work and him kind of realising he didn't belong in there," Nyika said.
"I wanted him to get up again.
"Yes, I'd love tougher opposition. Tonight you saw Tommy give up to a certain degree. I need guys that will push me and test me.
"I want to get taken to the trenches."
Nyika is keen to return to the ring in Auckland as soon as he has surgery on an eardrum he burst earlier this year, and is also pushing for a Saudi Arabia return.
He fought on the undercard when Usky beat Fury in May and wants to be there again for their rematch in December, having already called out unbeaten Swede Robin Safa.
