Nikita Tszyu shuts down notion of title fights ahead of Ben Bommber match-up on May 24
An undefeated Nikita Tszyu says he would be crazy to think he is near the level of his brother Tim, however he’s thriving on the expectations his family name bring ahead of his next fight.
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In as blunt an appraisal as you can get, Nikita Tszyu has shut down any notion he should be fighting for titles or over longer distances because he is “nowhere near” the level of his brother Tim.
The undefeated younger Tszyu takes on rival Ben Bommber on May 24, and is already receiving criticism for making the bout six rounds when Bommber wants eight.
And anyway, shouldn’t he already be fighting for the national super-welterweight title when he’s on pay-per-view cards?
“The media will jump on fighters when they’re already established, I was put into the deep end straight away and expected to have this crazy increase and have massive fights, it is a consequence of (my family name),” Tszyu said.
Obviously, being the son of legendary unified champion Kostya Tszyu has perks when it comes to boxing profile, but also pitfalls when considering expectations.
“I am completely aware of the level I am at,” he said. “I am nowhere near the level of Tim, I am a novice.
“I’d be a fool to think near my brother at this point.
“You have to be honest with yourself. If you can’t, then who can you be honest with?”
So the 25-year-old will adopt a “gradual” approach to his career, regardless of the early hype and the fact he is one of No Limit Boxing’s premier faces after just five professional bouts.
“I was out of the sport for eight years, there are things that I am only now starting to do in sparring that I was able to do in the amateurs,” Tszyu said.
“So I am enjoying my progression, but I’m not going to rush in and go over my head. This is my career, there is too much at risk to go into this too quickly, because there’s already too much exposure from what my brother and my dad have done.”
Tszyu and the unbeaten Bommber face off in the co-main event to the heavyweight fight between Joseph Parker and Faiga “Django” Opelu at Margaret Court Arena.
It marks more than two-decades since the Tszyu family name has headlined a show in Melbourne. A crowd of around 30,000 witnessed Nikita’s undisputed champion father, Kostya, dispose of Jesse James Leija at Docklands Stadium in January of 2003.
Tszyu (5-0, 4KO) is straight back is straight back into action following his dominant fourth round TKO over Bo Belbin on the undercard of brother Tszyu’s successful interim world title bout in March. In an unprecedented run in the professional ranks, Nikita will take on his fifth undefeated opponent in only his sixth professional bout.
Bommber (5-0, 4 KO), who has been training out of Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas, has linked up with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney’s team to prepare for the fight of his career.
He is a Melbourne native, leading Tszyu to quip: “There’s nothing better than going to someone’s back yard and beating them. There is a new alpha dog in town, woof.”
‘WANTED TO KILL ME’: EX-AFL STAR’S BRUTAL BOXING LESSON
As a 17-year-old, Cameron Mooney was drafted by North Melbourne and thrown into boxing training.
“There was Duck (Wayne Carey), Mick Martyn, Boomer (Brent Harvey) and yeah, John Longmire,” Mooney recalled.
“We would all spar. There was one time I remember coming up against Longmire and I hit him right on the button.
“I’ve never seen someone’s eyes roll back and glaze over like that, he looked at me like he wanted to kill me.
“He just started swinging. I took a knee, I thought that would be the end of it, but he just kept punching me on top of the head.
“I realised then that boxing wasn’t a sport you take lightly.”
So as Mooney prepares to make his professional boxing debut next month, 26 years after that brawl with enforcer turned Sydney Swans coach Longmire, he’s leaving no stone unturned in his quest to defeat AFL rival Tom Bellchambers.
Training under former IBO world champion Will Tomlinson, 43-year-old Mooney is devising a crafty game plan to defeat a man 10 years younger and 20kg heavier.
“I can’t get into a wrestling match with him, that’s for sure,” Mooney said.
“I’ve always said boxing is like chess, except you get punched in the mouth if you make a mistake.
“We will work out a plan and hopefully I can execute that over the three rounds.”
Mooney and ex-Essendon star Bellchambers will clash in a heavyweight bout on Wednesday, May 24 at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena.
North Melbourne and Geelong premiership winner Mooney has become a key member of the Fox Footy panel since his retirement in 2011, while 33-year-old Bellchambers hung up the boots in 2020.
The footy icons will feature on a No Limit Boxing show headlined by former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who fights Faiga “Django” Opelu, and undefeated star Nikita Tszyu who takes on Benjamin Bombber.
The show will be televised live on Main Event pay-per-view on Foxtel and Kayo Sport.
Mooney has loved boxing since he was a young boy.
“I used to go and watch Mike Tyson with my brother,” he said.
“And even during my playing days, the training I did most outside of on-field footy, was boxing training.
“I have always loved it. But you can hit all the mitts and bags you want, they don’t hit back. Sparring is different altogether.
“I was supposed to fight Fev (Brendan Fevola) a few months ago, it was a disaster in how it was organised.
“I was in training, and Will called me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I’d be interested in fighting on this card and I signed up.
“It is exciting, but nerve-racking at the same time.”
Parker, who is training in Dublin alongside heavyweight champion and close friend Tyson Fury, will feature in his first Australian show for the Commonwealth heavyweight title against Opelu. It is being dubbed as the biggest heavyweight showdown in Australia since Jack Johnson fought Tommy Burns at Sydney’s Rushcutters Bay in 1908.
Opelu (15-3-2, 11 KO) is a former Australian heavyweight champion who produced the biggest upset in heavyweight boxing last year, with a stoppage of the previously undefeated Hemi Ahio (20-1, 15 KO) in October.
In the co-main event, Tszyu will face Bommber, in what is the toughest test of the popular super welterweight’s early career.
It also marks more than two-decades since the Tszyu family name has headlined a show in Melbourne. A crowd of around 30,000 witnessed Nikita’s undisputed champion father, Kostya, dispose of Jesse James Leija at Docklands Stadium in January of 2003.
Tszyu (5-0, 4KO) is straight back is straight back into action following his dominant fourth round TKO over Bo Belbin on the undercard of brother Tim Tszyu’s successful interim world title bout in March. In an unprecedented run in the professional ranks, Nikita will take on his fifth undefeated opponent in only his sixth professional bout.
Bommber (5-0, 4 KO), who has been training out of Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas, has linked up with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney’s team to prepare for the fight of his career. As a lifetime Essendon supporter, the proud Melburnian is a bomber by name and nature.
Parker said from Ireland: “I’m very excited to be heading to Australia to headline a massive fight. I’ve been to Australia numerous times and the amount of support there is amazing and everyone is always so welcoming.
“I look forward to the atmosphere from both the Aussie and Kiwi fight fans and I know everyone will be pumped to see two world class heavyweights go at it.
“The Commonwealth Heavyweight title has been held by some of the biggest names in the sport so I’m looking forward to adding my name to that list on May 24 in Melbourne.
“He [Opelu] is a great fighter and deserves his shot but there’s levels to this game and I plan to show that. I’m not taking this lightly and I look forward to putting on a great performance for the fight fans. Credit to him for stepping up and taking this fight.”
The winner of Parker-Opelu will become the first fighter from the Pacific to win the prestigious Commonwealth heavyweight title.
No Limit chief executive George Rose said: “Joseph Parker is one of the greatest athletes to have ever come from this side of the globe. His historic performances over many years is exactly why boxing is back in a big way in Australia and New Zealand.
“Whilst he is a proud Samoan and Kiwi, his performances and personality made it easy for me to always claim him as an Aussie and one of our very own. It’s why we’re so excited to have him headline our Melbourne debut.
“But he’s in for a tough test in the most meaningful heavyweight fight on Australian shores in more than a century. Django is one of the heaviest hitters Australia has ever produced and is very much here to spoil the party.
“It’s pretty hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Tszyu has fought in Melbourne. The Tszyu family are boxing royalty – Kostya is the King, Tim is the obvious heir to the throne and Nikita is Australia’s very own prince of power.
“It will be Nikita’s toughest test by a mile. He’s fighting in enemy territory against a proud Melburnian, who is an absolute bomber by name and by nature. I can’t wait.”
AFL HEAVYWEIGHTS SET FOR SHOCK BOXING SHOWDOWN
AFL legend Cameron Mooney will make his professional boxing debut next month against Essendon star Tom Bellchambers.
The pair will clash in a heavyweight bout on Wednesday, May 24 at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena.
Geelong premiership winner Mooney, 43, has become a key member of the Fox Footy panel since his retirement in 2011, while 33-year-old Bellchambers hung up the boots in 2020.
The footy icons will feature on a No Limit Boxing show headlined by former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker, who fights Faiga “Django” Opelu, and undefeated star Nikita Tszyu who takes on Benjamin Bommber.
The show will be televised live on Main Event pay-per-view on Foxtel and Kayo Sport.
Parker, who is training in Dublin alongside heavyweight champion and close friend Tyson Fury, will feature in his first Australian show for the Commonwealth heavyweight title against Opelu.
It is being dubbed as the biggest heavyweight showdown in Australia since Jack Johnson fought Tommy Burns at Sydney’s Rushcutters Bay in 1908.
Opelu (15-3-2, 11 KO) is a former Australian heavyweight champion who produced the biggest upset in heavyweight boxing last year, with a stoppage of the previously undefeated Hemi Ahio (20-1, 15 KO) in October.
In the co-main event, Tszyu will face Bommber, in what is the toughest test of the popular super welterweight’s early career.
It also marks more than two-decades since the Tszyu family name has headlined a show in Melbourne.
A crowd of around 30,000 witnessed Nikita’s undisputed champion father, Kostya, dispose of Jesse James Leija at Docklands Stadium in January of 2003.
Tszyu (5-0, 4KO) is straight back into action following his dominant fourth round TKO over Bo Belbin on the undercard of brother Tim Tszyu’s successful interim world title bout in March.
In an unprecedented run in the professional ranks, Nikita will take on his fifth undefeated opponent in only his sixth professional bout.
Bommber (5-0, 4 KO), who has been training out of Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas, has linked up with undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney’s team to prepare for the fight of his career.
As a lifetime Essendon supporter, the proud Melburnian is a bomber by name and nature.
Parker said from Ireland: “I’m very excited to be heading to Australia to headline a massive fight. I’ve been to Australia numerous times and the amount of support there is amazing and everyone is always so welcoming.
“I look forward to the atmosphere from both the Aussie and Kiwi fight fans and I know everyone will be pumped to see two world class heavyweights go at it.
“The Commonwealth Heavyweight title has been held by some of the biggest names in the sport so I’m looking forward to adding my name to that list on May 24 in Melbourne.
“He [Opelu] is a great fighter and deserves his shot but there’s levels to this game and I plan to show that. I’m not taking this lightly and I look forward to putting on a great performance for the fight fans. Credit to him for stepping up and taking this fight.”
The winner of Parker-Opelu will become the first fighter from the Pacific to win the prestigious Commonwealth heavyweight title.
No Limit chief executive George Rose said: “Joseph Parker is one of the greatest athletes to have ever come from this side of the globe. His historic performances over many years is exactly why boxing is back in a big way in Australia and New Zealand.
“Whilst he is a proud Samoan and Kiwi, his performances and personality made it easy for me to always claim him as an Aussie and one of our very own. It’s why we’re so excited to have him headline our Melbourne debut.
“But he’s in for a tough test in the most meaningful heavyweight fight on Australian shores in more than a century. Django is one of the heaviest hitters Australia has ever produced and is very much here to spoil the party.
“It’s pretty hard to believe it’s been 20 years since Tszyu has fought in Melbourne, The Tszyu family are boxing royalty – Kostya is the King, Tim is the obvious heir to the throne and Nikita is Australia’s very own prince of power.
“It will be Nikita’s toughest test by a mile. He’s fighting in enemy territory against a proud Melburnian, who is an absolute bomber by name and by nature. I can’t wait.”
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Originally published as Nikita Tszyu shuts down notion of title fights ahead of Ben Bommber match-up on May 24
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