1 00:00:09,093 --> 00:00:11,972 Speaker 1: You're listening to a podcast from News Talk zed B. 2 00:00:12,373 --> 00:00:16,933 Speaker 1: Follow this and our Wide Ranger podcast now on iHeartRadio. 3 00:00:16,733 --> 00:00:19,813 Speaker 2: News Talks EDB. David Nika has had a wild year. 4 00:00:19,893 --> 00:00:22,093 Speaker 2: In January, the Kiwi Box of fought for his first 5 00:00:22,133 --> 00:00:24,493 Speaker 2: world title. He was also knocked out for the first 6 00:00:24,533 --> 00:00:26,653 Speaker 2: time in his career. It was the start of a 7 00:00:26,692 --> 00:00:29,253 Speaker 2: year that would be full of milestones. He and his 8 00:00:29,293 --> 00:00:32,573 Speaker 2: partner Lexi Thornbury traveled to Mexico a few days after 9 00:00:32,613 --> 00:00:36,213 Speaker 2: that belt, where Nika proposed they brought a house, and 10 00:00:36,293 --> 00:00:38,893 Speaker 2: Nika made a successful return to the ring in July. 11 00:00:39,253 --> 00:00:41,892 Speaker 2: Soon after that journey, however, their world was rocked as 12 00:00:41,973 --> 00:00:45,253 Speaker 2: Lexi was diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Battling through 13 00:00:45,293 --> 00:00:48,373 Speaker 2: what he described as six weeks of how the Commonwealth 14 00:00:48,492 --> 00:00:51,452 Speaker 2: and Olympic Games medalists finished off the year, claiming victory 15 00:00:51,772 --> 00:00:55,893 Speaker 2: over China's was hearty Newhaling Yesterday, it is a great 16 00:00:55,933 --> 00:00:59,333 Speaker 2: pleasure to welcome David Nica onto the show. David, how 17 00:00:59,453 --> 00:00:59,813 Speaker 2: you doing. 18 00:01:00,533 --> 00:01:03,213 Speaker 3: Hey, good to be it man. I'm feeling good. Hands 19 00:01:03,253 --> 00:01:08,053 Speaker 3: a little bit sore, but everything's in one piece, in. 20 00:01:07,973 --> 00:01:11,533 Speaker 4: Your hands and not your head or your forehead. 21 00:01:12,533 --> 00:01:15,133 Speaker 5: Yeah, a huge one man. Congratulations. 22 00:01:15,173 --> 00:01:17,413 Speaker 2: An awesome end of the year, and it clearly meant 23 00:01:17,453 --> 00:01:20,292 Speaker 2: a lot judging on your speech after that fight. So 24 00:01:20,333 --> 00:01:22,773 Speaker 2: how different did that fight feel compared to others you've 25 00:01:22,773 --> 00:01:23,333 Speaker 2: had this year? 26 00:01:24,893 --> 00:01:28,973 Speaker 3: Yeah, I didn't really feel like I had I didn't 27 00:01:29,013 --> 00:01:32,173 Speaker 3: have much kind of X factor. I felt like I 28 00:01:32,533 --> 00:01:34,812 Speaker 3: was missing a little something. I wasn't really having much 29 00:01:35,572 --> 00:01:37,413 Speaker 3: fun in the room. Usually I try to have a 30 00:01:37,453 --> 00:01:40,813 Speaker 3: little bit more fun. But to be quite honest, I 31 00:01:40,932 --> 00:01:44,733 Speaker 3: really just wanted that weekend to disappear in some ways, 32 00:01:44,733 --> 00:01:46,932 Speaker 3: you know, just I just wanted to get it out 33 00:01:46,973 --> 00:01:49,493 Speaker 3: the way so I can focus on what's really important. 34 00:01:50,133 --> 00:01:52,693 Speaker 6: Yeah, you said the week's leading into that bout were 35 00:01:52,773 --> 00:01:55,613 Speaker 6: how how did you manage to stay focused enough to 36 00:01:55,933 --> 00:01:58,173 Speaker 6: perform in the spectacular way you. 37 00:01:58,133 --> 00:02:02,533 Speaker 3: Did at the end of the day. This is what 38 00:02:02,573 --> 00:02:05,013 Speaker 3: I do, you know, This is it's like muscle memory 39 00:02:05,053 --> 00:02:08,852 Speaker 3: or instinct. So for me doing what I do is 40 00:02:09,053 --> 00:02:11,733 Speaker 3: it's just like if I work at a checkout, you know, 41 00:02:11,773 --> 00:02:16,253 Speaker 3: it's I don't I don't see the difference between, you know, 42 00:02:16,853 --> 00:02:19,693 Speaker 3: my life and your life. Like people wake up and 43 00:02:19,733 --> 00:02:21,693 Speaker 3: do the same thing every day, you know, and this 44 00:02:21,413 --> 00:02:25,253 Speaker 3: is just my thing, you know, So there's been a 45 00:02:25,252 --> 00:02:27,572 Speaker 3: lot of changes over the last kind of six weeks. 46 00:02:27,613 --> 00:02:30,213 Speaker 3: But you know, this is one thing that I know 47 00:02:30,333 --> 00:02:32,692 Speaker 3: I can do, and you know I can I can 48 00:02:32,733 --> 00:02:33,573 Speaker 3: make a little difference. 49 00:02:34,293 --> 00:02:37,132 Speaker 2: It's incredible what what you and Lexi of course have 50 00:02:37,213 --> 00:02:41,333 Speaker 2: been through over those six weeks, David, throughout that that 51 00:02:41,493 --> 00:02:43,733 Speaker 2: journey and it has been it's been hell for you guys. 52 00:02:43,813 --> 00:02:46,653 Speaker 2: Has any does anything change in your mentality on how 53 00:02:46,693 --> 00:02:49,533 Speaker 2: you look at your career, how you look at boxing, 54 00:02:49,613 --> 00:02:50,413 Speaker 2: how you look at life. 55 00:02:52,693 --> 00:02:55,653 Speaker 3: You know, I've I've found my faith. I found my faith. 56 00:02:55,733 --> 00:02:58,893 Speaker 3: It's been like a big, a big milestone for me. 57 00:02:58,972 --> 00:03:03,413 Speaker 3: You know, I spoke, I spoke to my grand she 58 00:03:03,493 --> 00:03:05,333 Speaker 3: passed away when I was five, and that was like 59 00:03:05,613 --> 00:03:08,853 Speaker 3: that was pretty specious, like very moving, and that was 60 00:03:09,252 --> 00:03:11,773 Speaker 3: that was kind of the sign I needed to know 61 00:03:11,853 --> 00:03:13,773 Speaker 3: that everything was going to be okay, you know. So 62 00:03:14,413 --> 00:03:20,653 Speaker 3: for me, you know, having a little bit of spiritual 63 00:03:20,693 --> 00:03:25,053 Speaker 3: healing has definitely come and come and handy. But you know, 64 00:03:25,413 --> 00:03:27,973 Speaker 3: perspective as a superpower, you know, likes a lot of 65 00:03:27,972 --> 00:03:32,692 Speaker 3: people don't have it, and to realize how bless we 66 00:03:32,733 --> 00:03:36,213 Speaker 3: are in this life is so important and you know, 67 00:03:36,253 --> 00:03:39,413 Speaker 3: I'm just I'm just so grateful to have the supporting 68 00:03:39,453 --> 00:03:42,693 Speaker 3: their work around me and to have the support of 69 00:03:42,693 --> 00:03:45,973 Speaker 3: of New Zealand and and and my family behind me. 70 00:03:47,253 --> 00:03:48,133 Speaker 4: Man, that's huge. 71 00:03:48,173 --> 00:03:51,933 Speaker 6: If you can find gratitude and tough times, then you're 72 00:03:52,173 --> 00:03:53,373 Speaker 6: a stronger and. 73 00:03:53,293 --> 00:03:55,853 Speaker 4: Better person than then most people. You know, a lot 74 00:03:55,893 --> 00:03:59,253 Speaker 4: of people end up better and angry when when things 75 00:03:59,613 --> 00:04:00,053 Speaker 4: go wrong. 76 00:04:01,653 --> 00:04:04,253 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, at the end of the day, like my 77 00:04:04,613 --> 00:04:06,413 Speaker 3: positivity is what's. 78 00:04:07,573 --> 00:04:07,773 Speaker 1: You know. 79 00:04:08,773 --> 00:04:12,813 Speaker 3: I know Lexus is you know, relying on me in 80 00:04:12,853 --> 00:04:14,733 Speaker 3: a lot of ways, and so I can't let my 81 00:04:14,813 --> 00:04:17,133 Speaker 3: guard down, you know, I need to stay positive. I 82 00:04:17,173 --> 00:04:20,452 Speaker 3: need to I need to you know, be encouraging her, 83 00:04:20,573 --> 00:04:22,093 Speaker 3: let her know that she's doing the right thing and 84 00:04:22,093 --> 00:04:24,493 Speaker 3: that we're moving in the right direction and we have 85 00:04:24,693 --> 00:04:28,213 Speaker 3: like such an amazing future together. So yeah, it's important 86 00:04:28,253 --> 00:04:32,733 Speaker 3: to to kind of yeah, be that, be that positivity. 87 00:04:33,013 --> 00:04:35,573 Speaker 4: Yeah, when you say you found your faith? Did how 88 00:04:35,573 --> 00:04:37,373 Speaker 4: did you find your faith? How did that? How did 89 00:04:37,413 --> 00:04:39,253 Speaker 4: that come along in your life? 90 00:04:40,093 --> 00:04:43,013 Speaker 3: Well it's a long story, but we had a piece 91 00:04:43,053 --> 00:04:45,693 Speaker 3: of art that we've been trying to get framed from 92 00:04:45,773 --> 00:04:49,373 Speaker 3: our trip. We lex blew her entire savings on a 93 00:04:49,533 --> 00:04:53,893 Speaker 3: on a European summer and it was like a thirtieth. 94 00:04:53,933 --> 00:04:56,973 Speaker 3: It was for my thirtieth birthday. She she just surprised 95 00:04:56,973 --> 00:04:59,973 Speaker 3: me with a trip to Europe and it was amazing. 96 00:05:00,013 --> 00:05:02,533 Speaker 3: We went there and came back and shortly after she 97 00:05:02,613 --> 00:05:05,533 Speaker 3: was diagnosed with cancer. So that was like the first 98 00:05:05,613 --> 00:05:09,413 Speaker 3: sign that you know, life going to be shuffled along 99 00:05:09,453 --> 00:05:12,893 Speaker 3: pretty quickly. But I had this, We had this piece 100 00:05:12,893 --> 00:05:15,013 Speaker 3: of art that we bought in Venice that we were 101 00:05:15,053 --> 00:05:17,053 Speaker 3: getting framed, and I went to get it. I went, 102 00:05:17,653 --> 00:05:20,933 Speaker 3: we went in between between appointments just to go check 103 00:05:20,973 --> 00:05:24,333 Speaker 3: on the progress, and we saw them. We saw them 104 00:05:24,453 --> 00:05:28,893 Speaker 3: rolling up our rolling up our art, someone else's artwork 105 00:05:28,973 --> 00:05:31,413 Speaker 3: with our with our role, and I was like, hey, 106 00:05:31,453 --> 00:05:33,653 Speaker 3: what's that. I was like, that's our piece of art. 107 00:05:33,733 --> 00:05:37,413 Speaker 3: I said, hey, if you guys can have that, you 108 00:05:37,413 --> 00:05:39,693 Speaker 3: guys need to like fix this. You guys need to 109 00:05:41,213 --> 00:05:42,853 Speaker 3: I was like, I was, I was pretty I was 110 00:05:42,893 --> 00:05:46,573 Speaker 3: pretty angry. I don't get angry very easily. But I 111 00:05:46,613 --> 00:05:50,693 Speaker 3: spoke to the manager and said, hey, listen, we're getting 112 00:05:51,293 --> 00:05:54,573 Speaker 3: we're getting married a year from this certain date. If 113 00:05:54,613 --> 00:05:58,373 Speaker 3: you can have that on our wall by this day, 114 00:05:58,693 --> 00:06:00,293 Speaker 3: that will be the sign that I need to know 115 00:06:00,333 --> 00:06:04,973 Speaker 3: that everything's going to be okay. And I yeah, it 116 00:06:05,093 --> 00:06:09,373 Speaker 3: was desperate, desperate times, but I I spoke to my 117 00:06:09,493 --> 00:06:14,933 Speaker 3: grands She spoke through me, which is really really chilling, chilling, 118 00:06:14,973 --> 00:06:18,813 Speaker 3: but she she physically spoke through me, which I didn't 119 00:06:18,813 --> 00:06:21,293 Speaker 3: think was possible. And I'm a spiritual person, but I'm 120 00:06:21,293 --> 00:06:25,933 Speaker 3: not religious, but yeah, she spoke through me and told 121 00:06:25,933 --> 00:06:30,453 Speaker 3: me to be still, which I since learned as a 122 00:06:31,813 --> 00:06:34,173 Speaker 3: biblical quote, you know, be still and know that I 123 00:06:34,253 --> 00:06:38,133 Speaker 3: am God. So that was that was really really powerful. 124 00:06:39,893 --> 00:06:45,133 Speaker 3: And yeah, yeah it's reshaped my uh my thinking in 125 00:06:45,253 --> 00:06:49,493 Speaker 3: my kind of outlook on life a little bit. So 126 00:06:50,773 --> 00:06:52,653 Speaker 3: that's that's what I needed. It was the sign I 127 00:06:52,693 --> 00:06:54,773 Speaker 3: needed to know that we're going to be okay. And 128 00:06:54,813 --> 00:06:58,413 Speaker 3: so yeah, I know what I need to do now. 129 00:06:58,453 --> 00:07:00,533 Speaker 3: All I need to do is be that supportive person. 130 00:07:01,173 --> 00:07:03,933 Speaker 4: Wow, powerful stuff. And what was the what was the 131 00:07:03,973 --> 00:07:04,533 Speaker 4: piece of art. 132 00:07:07,253 --> 00:07:12,653 Speaker 3: It's a it's a painting of the Rialto Bridge in Venice, 133 00:07:12,653 --> 00:07:17,013 Speaker 3: where there's actually you can see the balcony that we 134 00:07:17,013 --> 00:07:21,733 Speaker 3: we stayed at where our accommodation was in the painting. 135 00:07:21,813 --> 00:07:24,493 Speaker 3: So it's it's very special and it's it's up on 136 00:07:24,533 --> 00:07:27,333 Speaker 3: our living room. War now. So we got that piece 137 00:07:27,333 --> 00:07:32,653 Speaker 3: of art up on the wall the day of the 138 00:07:32,813 --> 00:07:35,293 Speaker 3: year out from when we're getting married, if that makes sense. 139 00:07:35,453 --> 00:07:38,253 Speaker 5: Yeah, yeah, got it. That is beautiful, mate, That is beautiful. 140 00:07:38,653 --> 00:07:41,533 Speaker 2: Now the I mean clearly, your strength and leksi strength 141 00:07:41,653 --> 00:07:44,733 Speaker 2: is inspiring, mate, And I don't say that lightly. How 142 00:07:45,213 --> 00:07:46,213 Speaker 2: how is she doing now? 143 00:07:48,013 --> 00:07:52,773 Speaker 3: She's she's doing amazing. She's she's only just started. She's 144 00:07:52,773 --> 00:07:55,893 Speaker 3: finished her first cycle of chemotherapy, which is like an 145 00:07:55,933 --> 00:08:00,853 Speaker 3: intro chemo, and she's bouncing back after kind of three 146 00:08:00,933 --> 00:08:04,333 Speaker 3: or four days after each treatment. So she's doing great 147 00:08:04,333 --> 00:08:09,093 Speaker 3: at the moment, and like, yeah, God willing, she's she 148 00:08:09,453 --> 00:08:12,013 Speaker 3: she stays that way, but you know it's going to 149 00:08:12,053 --> 00:08:14,853 Speaker 3: be a challenging, challenging kind of a few months. But 150 00:08:16,093 --> 00:08:20,893 Speaker 3: she's she's just such a strong headed woman, sometimes annoyingly so, 151 00:08:21,133 --> 00:08:27,093 Speaker 3: but you know that that that eagerness to live and 152 00:08:26,733 --> 00:08:29,653 Speaker 3: to thrive is what's going to get us through the 153 00:08:29,693 --> 00:08:31,373 Speaker 3: other side and make us so much stronger. 154 00:08:31,613 --> 00:08:33,373 Speaker 5: Yeah, you're both incredible people. 155 00:08:33,453 --> 00:08:35,933 Speaker 2: We're talking with David Nika as part of our series 156 00:08:35,973 --> 00:08:38,493 Speaker 2: of Christmas Camp Chumps with top top people. 157 00:08:38,612 --> 00:08:40,973 Speaker 5: David, thanks very much again for joining us. We're going 158 00:08:41,012 --> 00:08:41,973 Speaker 5: to thank you be here. 159 00:08:42,012 --> 00:08:42,693 Speaker 4: It's great to have you. 160 00:08:42,693 --> 00:08:44,772 Speaker 6: We're going to get you some punishing Christmas questions now, 161 00:08:44,813 --> 00:08:47,532 Speaker 6: because it's that time of year. What are you doing 162 00:08:47,573 --> 00:08:49,252 Speaker 6: over the Christmas and summer? 163 00:08:49,732 --> 00:08:52,172 Speaker 3: I think we'll be at home. I've got the backyard 164 00:08:52,612 --> 00:08:54,652 Speaker 3: kind of set up for hosting, so it's prod of 165 00:08:54,693 --> 00:08:58,412 Speaker 3: the only way we can. We can have visitors around 166 00:08:58,453 --> 00:09:00,813 Speaker 3: us if we have it outside, since Lex is going 167 00:09:00,852 --> 00:09:03,772 Speaker 3: to be IMMUNI pomp promote. But yeah, no, we'll be 168 00:09:03,813 --> 00:09:04,492 Speaker 3: at home chilling. 169 00:09:05,012 --> 00:09:07,093 Speaker 5: Nice. How the chicken's going by the way, mate. 170 00:09:07,653 --> 00:09:11,413 Speaker 3: They're happy and they're laying. We've got six trucks six 171 00:09:11,492 --> 00:09:14,813 Speaker 3: eggs a day, so you know they healthy. Has Yeah 172 00:09:15,093 --> 00:09:16,252 Speaker 3: that What. 173 00:09:16,333 --> 00:09:18,013 Speaker 2: Is on the menu on Christmas Day? Or what do 174 00:09:18,093 --> 00:09:19,493 Speaker 2: you hope is on the menu? Oh? 175 00:09:19,773 --> 00:09:20,173 Speaker 6: Whatever? 176 00:09:20,413 --> 00:09:24,053 Speaker 3: Whatever Jan Thornberry is cooking. I think we've actually got 177 00:09:24,093 --> 00:09:25,893 Speaker 3: my mum coming over as well, so we might get 178 00:09:25,892 --> 00:09:28,732 Speaker 3: a Yuka Thornberry duo. 179 00:09:29,573 --> 00:09:32,132 Speaker 4: Real tree or fake Christmas tree, David. 180 00:09:32,252 --> 00:09:36,213 Speaker 3: I much prefer real Christmas tree. I don't think they 181 00:09:36,293 --> 00:09:40,252 Speaker 3: have them around here just where we're situated. I haven't 182 00:09:40,293 --> 00:09:42,492 Speaker 3: I haven't found a haven't found one to buy yet. 183 00:09:42,973 --> 00:09:45,772 Speaker 2: Interesting, So no real Christmas trees in Queensland do you 184 00:09:45,813 --> 00:09:48,213 Speaker 2: got to go quite far and pay a lot of money. 185 00:09:48,892 --> 00:09:52,053 Speaker 3: I think. So yeah, either that or I'll have to 186 00:09:52,053 --> 00:09:54,093 Speaker 3: make my own. You know, we'll ship you. 187 00:09:54,093 --> 00:09:55,253 Speaker 5: We'll ship you one over. Man. 188 00:09:55,573 --> 00:09:59,173 Speaker 2: Hey, this this is a might be a curly que one, 189 00:09:59,213 --> 00:09:59,973 Speaker 2: but it's a great question. 190 00:10:00,053 --> 00:10:01,732 Speaker 5: What is the best present you've ever received? 191 00:10:02,533 --> 00:10:05,453 Speaker 4: Is it your squishy nose that helps you? And you 192 00:10:05,492 --> 00:10:06,813 Speaker 4: know in your professional. 193 00:10:06,333 --> 00:10:11,333 Speaker 3: Career, the squishy nose is definitely definitely done me some favors. 194 00:10:11,653 --> 00:10:15,813 Speaker 3: I'm terrible. I tell you what was probably one of 195 00:10:15,852 --> 00:10:19,773 Speaker 3: my earliest presidents that I that I that no longer exists, 196 00:10:19,773 --> 00:10:21,892 Speaker 3: like a like a Lord of the Rings minifigure or 197 00:10:21,892 --> 00:10:26,893 Speaker 3: something something like that. I would have been so pumped. 198 00:10:27,533 --> 00:10:28,252 Speaker 5: Great answer. 199 00:10:28,612 --> 00:10:30,413 Speaker 4: And what are you grateful for this year? 200 00:10:32,173 --> 00:10:34,973 Speaker 3: I'm grateful for my family. I'm grateful for my health, 201 00:10:35,012 --> 00:10:40,053 Speaker 3: I'm grateful for grateful for life. 202 00:10:40,093 --> 00:10:40,293 Speaker 1: Man. 203 00:10:40,492 --> 00:10:42,012 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm just just happy to be here. 204 00:10:43,333 --> 00:10:44,333 Speaker 5: Yeah. Phenomenal. 205 00:10:44,413 --> 00:10:47,333 Speaker 2: And finally, mate, favorite Christmas song for you? 206 00:10:48,852 --> 00:10:52,333 Speaker 3: I love that? Do they know it's Christmas Time? That 207 00:10:52,453 --> 00:10:56,493 Speaker 3: was like a family anthem band aid? Yeah, yeah, I 208 00:10:56,492 --> 00:10:58,453 Speaker 3: thought that's pretty good Christmas time. 209 00:10:58,453 --> 00:10:59,573 Speaker 4: All right, we'll play that one for you. 210 00:10:59,693 --> 00:11:02,093 Speaker 5: Brilliant. You're a good man. Let's go, Yes, go, I 211 00:11:02,132 --> 00:11:03,293 Speaker 5: will crank there for you. Mate. 212 00:11:03,333 --> 00:11:06,172 Speaker 2: Hey, great to catch up. Congrats again on that on 213 00:11:06,213 --> 00:11:08,733 Speaker 2: the when and we're wishing you and Leaks all the 214 00:11:08,732 --> 00:11:09,372 Speaker 2: best next year. 215 00:11:09,413 --> 00:11:09,653 Speaker 5: Mate. 216 00:11:10,453 --> 00:11:13,413 Speaker 3: My guys, great to catch up and Merry Christmas, Happy 217 00:11:13,453 --> 00:11:13,732 Speaker 3: New Year. 218 00:11:13,813 --> 00:11:14,973 Speaker 5: Yeah, Merry Christmas to you. 219 00:11:15,093 --> 00:11:19,093 Speaker 2: That is David Nieka, one of our Christmas catch ups 220 00:11:19,093 --> 00:11:20,013 Speaker 2: with top people. 221 00:11:20,053 --> 00:11:21,813 Speaker 5: What a good man he is. You're listening to News 222 00:11:21,813 --> 00:11:51,093 Speaker 5: Talks ed be Christmas. 223 00:11:55,053 --> 00:11:57,732 Speaker 1: For more from News Talks at b Listen live on 224 00:11:57,813 --> 00:12:00,773 Speaker 1: air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever 225 00:12:00,813 --> 00:12:03,333 Speaker 1: you go with our podcast on iHeartRadio