The fight between undefeated Kiwi boxing cruiserweight David Nyika and Blake Caparello is off after the Australian failed a drugs test for elevated testosterone.
The pair were scheduled to fight at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre a week on Saturday, but Caparello’s VADA test failure has scuppered that.
However, a new opponent has been scheduled for Nyika, the Olympic bronze medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
The new opponent will be announced tomorrow, promoter Duco Events confirmed this afternoon.
Kiwi former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker is helping promote the event, which features former All Black Liam Messam on the card.
A statement from Duco this afternoon said promoter David Higgins and Parker had secured a "tough, credible, and vastly experienced opponent who wants to take on Nyika at short notice".
The statement added: "The quality of Nyika’s new opponent has met with the approval of global broadcasting giant DAZN."
Nyika, 29, undefeated over nine professional bouts, hopes to claim the world cruiserweight title within two years.
Fight schedule:
DAVID NYIKA vs. (opponent to be announced tomorrow), Cruiserweight
HEMI AHIO vs. FAIGA OPELU, Heavyweight
UILA MAU’U vs. JOE AGELI, Heavyweight
LIAM MESSAM vs. JORDAN SIMI, Heavyweight
ALEX LEAPAI JUNIOR vs. MANUSIU FE’AO, Heavyweight
JACKSON ENGLAND vs NORT BEAUCHAMP, Super Featherweight
RICAIA WARREN vs. DYLAN WRIGHT, Super Middleweight
VICTOR BAICE vs BOSTON FUGE, Amateur
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