"We're Bringing Big-Time Boxing Back": Unbeaten Cruiserweight David Nyika on Big Auckland Homecoming

Kiwi boxing star David Nyika remains on track for a shot at a world title after extending his unbeaten professional record.

The heavyweight Olympic bronze medalist improved to 6-0 as a professional with a second-round technical knockout victory over American Don Haynes at Spark Arena in Auckland on Saturday night.

Nyika dropped Haynes twice in the opening round and continued to dominate, with referee John Conway stopping the bout 2 minutes, 27 seconds into the second round.

Nyika, 26, is now back in New Zealand after spending much of the past two and a half years overseas.

He said he hopes his return will help boost boxing's profile in New Zealand. "That's always been my mission, to bring big-time boxing back to New Zealand," Nyika said after his victory.

"Tonight was a great step towards that. I think New Zealand boxing is in a really good state at the moment, we've got a lot of young, up-and-coming fighters. I think we can really make a statement on the world stage in the next few years."

Nyika's next fight date and opponent are yet to be announced, but he is expected to return to the ring later this year.

He is ranked sixth by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and eighth by the International Boxing Federation (IBF) in the cruiserweight division, and could be in line for a world title fight in early 2024.

"I'm just taking it one fight at a time," Nyika said.

"I'm not looking too far ahead, but I believe that I'm on the right track. I'm working hard, I'm getting better with every fight, and I think I'm ready for anything that comes my way."