NEWCASTLE, Australia -- Boxing star Nikita Tszyu produced a flawless display Wednesday evening to stop previously unbeaten Spaniard Oscar Diaz and stake his latest claim for an opportunity at a world title eliminator, potentially in the near future.
The son of Hall of Famer Kostya was out to make a statement following his anticlimactic no-contest against controversial Melburnian Michael Zerafa in January, and he delivered in emphatic fashion. Tszyu bludgeoned Diaz for six highly entertaining rounds at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre before the 25-year-old retired in a bloody, dejected heap on his stool ahead of the seventh frame.
"Good to get the rounds in," a satisfied Tszyu said following his latest dominant win, and the first against an international opponent. "He's very tough. I landed some really solid shots on his forehead, and I'm surprised he was able to take some of them. We got there in the end."
Prior to Wednesday, Diaz (16-1, 6 KOs) had never faced a ranked opponent, nor fought outside his native Spain. The step up in class was evident from the outset as Tszyu (12-0, 10 KOs), the IBF's sixth-ranked fighter at 154 pounds, first worked him over with shots to the head, before switching to his trademark vicious body attacks. The Australian did as he pleased and Diaz had no answer for his lightning footwork, precision, and power.
Diaz was knocked down in the second round when Tszyu landed a heavy left-hand shot to the jaw. In the fifth round, Tszyu came close to finding a stoppage, when he let fly with a flurry of early punches that had Diaz retreating and ducking for cover on the ropes. His final punishment proved to be a series of head-body combination attacks to close the sixth round. However, two of those punches came in controversial circumstances, as Diaz had taken a knee after copping a heavy blow to the body moments earlier. Tszyu apologised immediately for striking him, but Diaz's corner was left irate and calling foul play.
"It was just a split second reaction," Tszyu said, when asked about his late indiscretion. "I didn't see his knees were on the ground. I thought he was bent over. In my experience, if they are bent over, keep punching."
The win over Diaz keeps Tszyu unbeaten as a professional and improves his family's record in "Tszyu-castle" to a perfect 14-0. His latest feat is also set to boost his chances of landing a shot at a world title eliminator, while there's been talks of potential big-money fights against the likes of American stars Jaron Ennis, Keith Thurman, and Tony Harrison, whom his brother Tim beat to capture the WBO junior middleweight title in March of 2023.
Despite the rumour mill being sent into overdrive, Tszyu's long-time manager Glen Jennings declared only last week to Fox Sports that his star pupil is still "50, 60 rounds" away from a world title shot, claiming "we won't consider launching Nikita into those biggest fights. He's still a young man who has a lot to offer."
The co-main event of the evening went the way of Callum Peters, arguably the nation's most promising young fighter. The 23-year-old South Australian prospect kept his own unbeaten run in tact with a one-sided unanimous points victory over experienced American Joeshon James. The judges scored the super-middleweight bout 100-89, 100-89, 99-90, highlighting the dominance of Peters, who could soon be the lead item on a major No Limit Boxing card.
Earlier in the night, Western Australia's rising light heavyweight Kirra Ruston scored a third-round stoppage against Berkay Varol of Turkey, while Brisbane's Jack Bowen took hold of the WBO oriental super middleweight title after obliterating Tonga Tongotongo with a relentless second-round attack on the ropes.
Rahim Mundine, the son of Australian boxing icon Anthony, prevailed in his first No Limit Boxing contest. Mundine accounted for Lance McDonald -- who caused a stir 24 hours earlier at the official weigh-in -- though the capacity crowd didn't believe his performance reflected the lopsided scorecards handed over by the judges and proceeded to rain boos down throughout the official proceedings.
Local favourite Kyron Dryden ended a seven-year boxing hiatus to score a second-round stoppage of Hunter Ioane, while Brent Walton secured a narrow majority points decision in his clash with Jayden Vasica.
Full undercard and prelim results for Nikita Tszyu vs. Oscar Diaz:
Nikita Tszyu (12-0) def. Oscar Diaz (16-1) by sixth round TKO for WBO international super welterweight title
Callum Peters (7-0) def. Joeshon James (10-2-2) by unanimous decision
Kirra Ruston (9-0) def. Berkay Varol (9-1) by third round TKO
Jack Bowen (13-1) def. Tonga Tongotongo (11-2) by second round TKO
Rahim Mundine (3-0) def. Lance McDonald (1-5-1) by unanimous decision
Brent Walton (5-2) def. Jayden Vasica (1-2) by majority decision
Kyron Dryden (14-2) def. Hunter Ioane (10-14-1) by second round TKO
Brandon Grach (5-1) def. Caleb Tialu (3-7) by third round TKO
Wayne Telepe (4-2) def. Benjamin Amos (3-2) by majority decision
Here's how fight night at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre unfolded:
