Home Boxing ‘Slightly rocked’: Nikita Tszyu’s shock fight claim as talks for all-Australian showdown revealed

‘Slightly rocked’: Nikita Tszyu’s shock fight claim as talks for all-Australian showdown revealed

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‘Slightly rocked’: Nikita Tszyu’s shock fight claim as talks for all-Australian showdown revealed

Nikita Tszyu looks set to begin talks for an all-Australian showdown with fellow rising star Brock Jarvis as soon as July – a hyped headliner that would double as the latter’s exciting welcome to the super welterweight division.

Already considered one of the nation’s most exciting fight prospects, Tszyu is now being hailed a genuine Pay-Per-View “star” after securing a brutal first round finish of Melbourne’s Ben Bommber at Margaret Court Arena on Wednesday night.

While the Sydneysider cheekily called out superstar Englishman Tyson Fury afterwards, Fox Sports Australia can reveal talks instead set to begin building around a host of exciting local options – among them fellow Sydneysider Jarvis.

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Nikita Tszyu celebrates victory after defeating Benjamin Bommber. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Nikita Tszyu celebrates victory after defeating Benjamin Bommber. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The news comes as the youngest Tszyu sibling revealed he had been “slightly rocked” in the opening moments of Wednesday night’s fight against Bommber, before quickly recovering to score a brutal KO finish.

Now undefeated in six bouts, ‘The Butcher’ also credited older brother Tim for his ability to withstand the shot, while also praising the emotion his brother showed ringside immediately after the win.

Asked how badly he got buzzed early in the first round, Tszyu replied: “Slightly rocked.

“I wasn’t dizzy, wasn’t hurt, but he caught me.

“Surprise shot.

“But the thing is, I feel I can really take a punch.

“My brother has warmed me up throughout our childhood. I’ve copped a beating and a half from him.

“So I feel like my chin has a bit of mileage on it.”

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So what is the chance he now throws down with another of the best young names in Aussie boxing?

Only last month, Jarvis (21-1) revealed he and trainer Jeff Fenech had parted ways following a disagreement over his best fighting weight.

Despite being hailed as a genuine world title contender at super featherweight only two years ago, the 25-year-old now wants to fight as high as super welterweight, or even middleweight.

In October last year, Jarvis moved up for an all-Australian super lightweight showdown against Liam Paro – only to be knocked out in the first round.

Yet now the popular young fighter is readying for an increase again, and recently spent three weeks in Las Vegas as part of his transformation.

While Jarvis is far more experienced than Tszyu, he would obviously carry plenty of questions into the fight given his significant move up in weight.

The bout would also double as one of the biggest all-Australian fights promoters No Limit could make in 2023.

Asked about Tszyu on Wednesday, and his announcement as a genuine Pay-Per-View talent, No Limit CEO Rose said: “He’s an absolute star”.

The referee attempts to hold Benjamin Bommber as Nikita Tszyu celebrates. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The promoter added, however, that he did not want to give away what was next just yet, and admitted to being worried when he thought Tszyu was about to do that in the ring with stars like Fury, Israel Adesanya, Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Volkanovski watching on.

“I s… myself a little bit when he started to call out a next opponent in the ring afterwards,” Rose laughed.

“Nikita is a quirky dude and to call out Tyson Fury, I didn’t expect that.

“I thought he was going to name one of the fighters that have been thrown around in our inner circle … I thought don’t jump the gun yet.”

Tszyu, meanwhile, said while the quick finish was “unexpected” he had predicted a KO win via uppercut.

“I’ve got a huge buzz right now,” he said.

“I didn’t expect the fight to be that short, it was unexpected.

“And he was a little bit tricky at first.

“But he opened himself up a bit and that uppercut was something I was working on all camp.

“I knew it would be either the right uppercut or left uppercut (that finished it) … and the right one got there first.”

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Asked if the win was vindication following weeks of back-and-forth between the pair, he continued: “It was sweet, a sweet feeling.

“And he was definitely gutted.

“It was a tough loss for him to have very early on in his career.

“As I said in our first press conference, one of us is moving forward and the other isn’t.

“It’s the harsh reality of this sport.

“I noticed he got a bit cocky (after landing early) but I could see more openings.

“I didn’t try and force it though.

“I waited until he was on the ropes, until he couldn’t retreat anymore and found the perfect opening.”

So as for Bommber, who is still only 21, bouncing back to again become a force in the division?

Nikita Tszyu is a star on the rise. Picture: Tony GoughSource: News Corp Australia

“He’s going to be in a tough situation for some time,” Tszyu continued.

“This is a big thing he’s been chasing.

“There has been so much hype around him and this was his chance … so it’s going to be tough for him.

“I don’t know if he will fight again until the end of this year.

“But honestly, I couldn’t care less.

“This is a selfish sport and I’m here to satisfy my needs.”

While Tszyu received calls for a rematch from Ben Horne, who also earned his own undercard win, the fighter who now moves to six straight wins said it would not be happening.

“I’ve already spoken to him,” Tszyu said.

“He kept bringing it up to me but I said ‘nup, I’m not doing the rematch’.

“I’m not interested.

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“(Laughs) He’s too tough, can take a shot a little bit too well.

“It wasn’t fun (first time around).

“Sorry Benny.”

Tszyu also gave a special shout out to brother Tim, who was in his corner for the bout and extremely animated after the quick KO.

“Tim can be a maniac sometimes,” he said if his ringside demeanour.

“And I love seeing that side of him because it’s not something we see too often.

“That rawness.

“That excitement and happiness.”

So as for what is next?

“I’ve got to build my deck in the backyard,” Tszyu laughed. “That’s my priority.

“I’m sick of the mess. It’s killing my vibe.”

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