New Zealand boxer David Nyika alleged that his opponent bit him twice in an “ugly” fight as he launched his bid for a second Commonwealth Games gold on Friday.
The 22-year-old heavyweight defeated Yakita Aska of Antigua and Barbuda 5-0 on Australia's Gold Coast, but said the 91kg bout was far tougher than the scores suggested.
“Its probably the closest fight Ive had. A little bit rugged, but a perfect start to a long tournament,” said Nyika, who won 81kg gold at Glasgow 2014 as a teenager.
“When they dont want to win, they want to survive, its tough. I copped a couple of bite marks, a couple of low blows.
“Its a tough fight. He bit me in the end, but thats the sport were in.
“Fair play to him: its kill or be killed.”
There was no immediate response from Aska to the allegation, but the 28-year-old said: “He is one of the best. He won gold at the last Commonwealth Games so it was a bad draw for me.
“He is a very strong kid.”
Nyika, who will face Cameroons Christian Ndzie Tsoye in Tuesdays quarter-finals, repeated the biting claim later on Instagram, when he joked: “Dont worry guys, Ive had my tetanus shots.”
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