Nikita Tsyzu has been called out by an undefeated Australian boxer who — training out of Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas – insists the popular young gun is only in the sport “because his brother is doing well”.
Just a month after fighting on the undercard of brother Tim Tszyu’s world title blockbuster, Fox Sports Australia can reveal negotiations are underway for Nikita to take the next step in his own highly-publicised career.
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While no bout agreements have yet been signed, the fighter chasing the showdown is rising Melbourne super welterweight Benjamin Bommber.
Still only 21, the young gun is, like Tszyu, undefeated in all five appearances as a professional, with all but one having come via KO.
Speaking from Las Vegas this week, Bommber revealed he was keen to lock down a fight with the younger Tszyu who, he insists, hasn’t shown much outside a heavy punch.
Bommber also questioned how serious Nikita really was about boxing, given he shifted away from the sport for several years to pursue an architecture degree.
Asked what flaws he saw in the son of Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu, Bommber replied: “Look, I’ll just say this, I’ve given my life to boxing.
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“And that’s because I believe a guy who is really skilled, who wants to box, wants to fight, he isn’t going to take years off for school.
“You’re not taking a day off.
“So no disrespect to anybody, but I see the fighters over here in Las Vegas, see the heart and mentality they have.
“They aren’t taking years off and then coming back because they see their brother doing well.”
Despite having only fought five times, Bommber already has a strong following across Melbourne and is determined to become the first man to bring down a Tszyu.
In fact, the young Aussie is now midway through a three-week camp in the world’s fight capital, where he is working closely with respected trainer Rodney Crisler — who also works with undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney.
Despite his commitments with Team Haney, Crisler has agreed to prepare Bommber for the Tszyu fight and even travel Down Under to be in his corner if the bout goes ahead.
So as for what the young Aussie does see in Nikita Tszyu?
“A name,” he said.
“And while he might be something special back home, there’s 10 Nikita Tszyus in every gym here in Las Vegas.
“You step into a gym over here, everyone is working.
“In Australia Nikita has that respect because of his name, which is fine.
“And his brother is doing great things.
“But when you strip it right down to pure boxing skills, I wouldn’t give him the credit that he’s received so far.”
Why not?
“Look, he can punch,” the fighter continued. “Everyone knows that.
“But I don’t think he’s shown much else.
“And I mean absolutely no disrespect to any of his opponents, but they haven’t really thrown much back at him.
“OK, he showed some toughness against Ben Horn.
“But none of these fighters have really done anything or tested Nikita.
“They’ve just been there to be hit.”
While Nikita Tszyu has found it difficult to get matched through his early professional fights – with even some boxers whose win column boasts double digits refusing offers – Bommber has no such problem.
“Because I know I’m better than him,” he said.
“That’s what it comes down to.
“I look at his skills, look at my skills and I don’t see anything he does better.
“Obviously everyone knows he has the name. And when you have the name the crowd follows.
“So when I beat him, it’s going to put my name out there.
“And I will have done it from the ground up.
“While he’s had (exposure) from the very start of his career, had the big fights, the money, the team … but this is my opportunity now.”