Nikita Tzsyu vs Danilo Creati: Tszyu records dominant win despite late scare
Nikita Tszyu looked to be home and hosed in the sixth round before a late hit gave him a scare, but it was still a commanding performance in the end.
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Nikita Tszyu has defeated Danilo Creati by unanimous decision in Sydney, on a night which included five title fights.
See how every jab, hook and finish played out below.
TSZYU OVERCOMES SIXTH ROUND SCARE IN TITLE DEFENCE
Nikita Tszyu overcame a huge sixth round scare to score an otherwise dominant unanimous decision win over a brave Danilo Creati.
The win is Tszyu’s first defence of his Australian super-welterweight title, and sees the Butcher move to 9-0 including six straight stoppage victories.
But it almost came undone in the sixth round when the incredibly tough Creati landed a well-timed short right hand to his jaw.
Tszyu’s legs buckled and he was forced to hold until the end of the round.
Tszyu laughed it off, claiming the Hordern Pavilion must be cursed.
“I wasn’t concerned, I’ve had worse,” he joked afterwards. “I always get rocked here, what’s with this place?
“We’ve gotta stop having fights here.”
After recovering from the sixth round, Tszyu was able to dominate a bloodied Creati in the closing portion of the bout. The game Italian fought until the final bell, but appeared close to being stopped at times, as Tszyu won with scores of 100-88, 99-90 and 100-89.
Sixth round scare aside, it was another dominant performance from the Sydneysider, and enhances reputation as one of the country’s most exciting fighters.
From being knocked down by Dylan Biggs in his last outing, to an all-out brawl against Jack Brubaker, The Butcher is rarely in a dull encounter, and this one wouldn’t have been out of place in a Rocky movie.
“That was a tough one, he was very tricky and he could honestly take a shot,” Tszyu said. “I felt I hurt him early and could have stopped him, but he kept recovering.
“He honestly did surprise me. I knew he’d be tricky and a slippery opponent, but he’s got toughness.”
Creati took the fight to Tszyu early, but copped a big right hand from the southpaw for his troubles.
Despite being warned about hitting to the back of the head, Tszyu was in cruise control in the first, leaving Creati with red welts around his left eye.
Tszyu scored a flash knockdown just 40 seconds into the second round with a wide left hook, catching Creati off balance.
The size difference between the pair was obvious and the much more powerful Tszyu simply battered ‘Dash’ for the rest of the round.
Creati managed several big right hands, but was countered each time, with Tszyu answering with a barrage of his own.
Sitting ringside, older brother Tim yelled at Creati’s corner to “Get the towel ready” as his younger brother launched another brutal assault to the body and head in the third.
Creati showed incredible heart to continue, but was warned by referee Les Fear that he’d stop the fight if he kept taking damage.
His response was to go on the attack, and he had Tszyu buzzed in the sixth.
The one minute break between rounds was all Tszyu needed though, and Creati was forced into survival mode at times over the final three rounds.
MASSIVE UPSET CRUSHES KIWI STAR’S TITLE HOPES
Kiwi star Jerome Pampellone’s hopes of fighting for a light-heavyweight world title have gone up in smoke after falling to a majority decision defeat to $6 outsider Malik Zinad in the co-main event.
In the IBF world title eliminator – and with a fight opposite either Dimitri Bivol or Artur Beterbiev on the line – Zinad was too strong and too powerful, taking the win with scores of 114-114, 117-111 and 117-111.
The all-action 12-rounder capped off a heated build-up, with the fighters’ respective teams nearly coming to blows after Tuesday’s weigh-ins.
Zinad enjoyed a big height and reach advantage, banking early rounds with his jab and a one-two combo.
Pampellone remained dangerous though, connecting with some big left hooks in the first half of the fight.
The damage on Pampellone’s face was noticeable by the fifth round, and he was stunned by another one-two combo as Zinad’s power began to show.
Zinad even started playing up for the crowd in the sixth, dancing around the ring, talking to his corner and laughing off a big overhand right from Pampellone.
Pampellone kept winging big power shots, but was seriously hurt by a right hand to the chin and did well just to make it to the end of the seventh round as Zinad implored the referee to stop the fight.
Zinad proved he could take a shot as well as dish them out, brushing off some big, but desperate shots in the ninth and 10th.
By the 11th, Zinad was talking trash to Pampellone’s corner and even at No Limit CEO George Rose sitting ringside.
He coasted in the final seconds of the fight, but copped a chorus of boos for refusing to engage.
Earlier, Linn Sandstrom was outclassed in her WBA flyweight world title tilt, dropping a unanimous decision to defending champion Clara Lescurat.
The Argentinian was too quick and too powerful, claiming a win with scores of 99-91, 100-90 and 97-93.
TAPIA’S SHOCK POST-FIGHT REVELATION
Mateo Tapia admits the second round shot Keiber Gonzalez caught him with should have been ruled a knockdown.
The Sydney-raised Tapia, who is now based in Florida, was forced to one knee after copping a shot just behind his left ear on the way to a hard-fought unanimous decision win.
Referee Will Soulos called it a slip, but Tapia said he was simply caught with a good shot.
“I think so. I think he just caught me cold,” Tapia admitted afterwards. “I’m not one to bullshit.
“I was sweet after it, I recovered well and fought my fight.
“My Mexican heart just comes out and I want to fight.”
Despite the early drama, Tapia was superb for the rest of the fight in his first bout since dropping a weight class down to middleweight.
Venezuela’s Gonzalez was a perfect 20-0 before the fight, and showed his extensive amateur pedigree as he made a 10-round war.
Tapia ran into Tim Tszyu on his way backstage, and shared some words with the Soul Taker after the fight.
“He was just like, ‘You’re a f***in’ warrior’,” Tapia said. “We laughed and hugged and I said that he was the biggest warrior I’ve ever seen.
“(Tszyu’s fight with Sebastian Fundora) was the most nervous I’ve ever been watching a fight.
“Then we just hugged.”
Asked about Tszyu’s rumoured bout with knockout artist Vergil Ortiz in August, Tapia said he backs his former teammate.
“I think Tszyu knocks him out,” he said. “I don’t see Vergil Ortiz…it’s just a Mexican style, and I think Tim has that style down pat.
“I think Tim knocks him out.”
HUSSAIN WITH THE DOG IN HIM
After walking to the ring flanked by a crew of Bulldogs players, Doggies diehard Benjamin Hussain has scored hard fought 10th round TKO win over Mason Smith.
The Mount Druitt-born Hussain has been a Bulldogs tragic since he was a kid, and was accompanied to the ring by Matt Burton, Josh Curran, Bronson Xerri, Jacob Preston and Blake Taaffe.
His walkout track started with the Dogs’ victory song ‘The Dogs are Having a Party’ before switching to the Hoodoo Gurus’ footy classic ‘That’s My Team’.
Hussain revealed the plan to have the Bulldogs walk him to the ring only came about in the last week.
“I had a ring walk plan, but my trunks didn’t come, so I messaged the Bulldogs players with about five days’ notice and the whole team showed up,” he said. “I’ve looked up to them since I was a kid, so that was very special to me.
“It shows how much of a team they are and in the community. They’ve got the bye this weekend, but I hope Doggies fans watched this fight as if it was the game this week.
“It was so special, and something my son won’t ever forget either.”
Smith started strongly in the 10 round super-welterweight bout, but Hussain weathered the early storm and fought back through the middle rounds.
Hussain was warned for a low blow in the third and fourth rounds before pulling away.
The end seemed near in the ninth round, with Smith visibly hurt, before he was dropped against the ropes in the last.
Referee Brad Vocale was eventually forced to step in and stop the action 1:14 into the 10th and final round, before Hussain celebrated with the Bulldogs in the crowd.
The Dogs, and Ben Husssain, are having a party. #NRL#Boxingpic.twitter.com/dUCynw1XNX
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) April 24, 2024
PARR FOLLOWS IN FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Nikita Tszyu isn’t the only fighter on tonight’s card following in the footsteps of a famous fighting father.
Jasmine Parr – daughter of the legendary John Wayne Parr – just scored an impressive fifth round knockout of Sarah Watt to move to 5-0 as a pro.
A veteran of numerous disciplines, John Wayne Parr made his name in Muay Thai and kickboxing, but owns a split decision boxing win over Anthony Mundine.
‘Jazzy’ proved the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, dropping Watt near the end of the second, before forcing referee Les Fear to step in and stop the action in the fifth.
Jazzy Parr really just did that 💥#nolimitboxing#nolimitppv#tszyucreatipic.twitter.com/fSDOkIUmy7
— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) April 24, 2024
Speaking afterwards, Parr said she didn’t want the fight to end.
“I just love fighting and I haven’t fought in so long and I’ve got the bug again,” she told this masthead. “It was satisfying.
“We had a plan, stuck to it and got the job done.”
Parr could be just a few fights away from fighting for a world title, with Sydneysider Linn Sandstrom challenging for Clara Lescurat’s WBA flyweight belt later tonight.
Parr has both of them in her sights.
“I want to be the best in my division and I’m coming for all the girls in my division,” she said. “We’re going to see who the best girl is tonight between them in the division.
“But eventually, it’s going to be me.”
BULLDOGS BACK HUSSAIN
It’s been a torrid day for the Bulldogs, but a big crew of Doggies have showed up in support of super-welterweight star Benjamin Hussain.
Flanked by Bulldogs players and walking out to 'That's My Team' by the Hoodoo Gurus 😎 ðŸ¶
— MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) April 24, 2024
Benjamin Hussain showed how to REALLY make an entrance 🤩
📺 Order #TSZYUCREATI LIVE NOW on Main Event: https://t.co/7D0VeLLI9m
📠BLOG https://t.co/Mfi102uS0opic.twitter.com/Q5VMjtWffB
A Bulldogs diehard, Hussain fights Mason Smith in the first fight of the PPV portion of the card, and is close with several members of the squad.
Despite news that former Bulldog Jackson Topine is suing the club, a host of players, including Matt Burton, Josh Curran, Bronson Xerri and Blake Taaffe all made a special appearance for Hussain’s walkout.
Now based in Queensland, Hussain grew up in Mount Druitt and has supported the Bulldogs since he was a kid.
A big @NRL_Bulldogs crew is ready walk out diehard Doggies fan Ben Hussain. pic.twitter.com/da9Tgc0WBH
— Brendan Bradford (@1bbradfo) April 24, 2024
WORLD TITLE NEXT FOR PHENOM
Kiwi phenom Andrei Mikhailovic is potentially just months away from fighting for a unified middleweight world title after scoring a vicious first round knockout in the first fight of the night.
One of New Zealand’s most highly rated fighters, Mikhailovic stopped Les Sherrington with a brutal body shot 90 seconds into the first, untelevised, fight of the night.
The win is a comeback of sorts for Mikhailovic, who has been sidelined since April last year after a series of world title eliminators fell over.
The 26-year-old was scheduled to face Denis Radovan in December for a shot at IBF and WBO unified champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0). That fight was postponed until May, and finally scratched altogether.
Mikhailovic, who is signed to No Limit, and his team will now look to book a fight with Alimkhanuly later this year.
“I think we may have the world title next,” Mikhailovic’s coach, Isaac Peach, told this masthead. “I think we can bypass the eliminator after he pulled out twice.
“That’s Matt Rose’s job, so he’ll let me know in the coming days, but those are the discussions.
“We want it as soon as possible, in the next few months, in America, he’s with Bob Arum and Top Rank.”
It could prove to be a busy few months for the veteran trainer, with his light-heavyweight Jerome Pampellone angling for a shot at the undisputed world titles.
Pampellone fights Malik Zinad later tonight, and a win could see him in line to face the winner of the June 1 showdown between Dimitri Bivol and Artur Beterbiev.
EXTRA SECURITY CALLED FOR TITLE FIGHT
No Limit has been asked by the Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales to provide extra ringside security after a heated weigh-in day altercation between light-heavyweight contenders Jerome Pampellone and Malik Zinad.
Tension between the two camps threatened to turn physical on Tuesday afternoon after a blow-up about the gloves the fighters will use.
Pampellone’s team had three pairs of identical gloves for fight night, but one pair had ‘Pampellone’ emblazoned on the thumb.
Zinad demanded to wear that pair, which infuriated members of Pampellone’s team.
The blow up resulted in Zinad’s brother throwing one of the glove’s at Pampellone’s coach, Isaac Peach.
After having his hopes of a rematch with Sebastian Fundora dashed, Tim Tszyu has secured his comeback fight looks on – but it has come with another warning from a worried Jeff Fenech. 🥊
— CODE Combat (@codecombatau) April 24, 2024
READ MORE | https://t.co/WhZVJiMeXZ
âœï¸: @1bbradfo and @badel_cmailpic.twitter.com/haYv8whWUS
The groups nearly came to blows and the fight came close to being called off.
Now, Combat Sports NSW has demanded extra security be present at ringside during the fight to keep the respective camps separated.
There is also a heavy security presence backstage to make sure there are no more flare ups at the Hordern Pavilion before the fight.
The incident is remarkably similar to the pre-fight drama that hit the Jeff Horn-Michael Zerafa rematch in 2019.
After a late change, Horn eventually wore a pair of gloves with ‘Zerafa’ printed on the side as he scored a dramatic majority decision win.
WEIGH-IN BUST-UP ALMOST COSTS TITLE SHOT
Kiwi star Jerome Pampellone nearly saw his hopes of fighting for the undisputed light-heavyweight world title go up in smoke after a post-weigh-in bust up threatened to derail his showdown with Malik Zinad.
Pampellone and Zinad meet on the Nikita Tszyu-Danilo Creati undercard in an IBF title eliminator.
The winner is expected to book a blockbuster title fight with either Artur Beterbiev or Dimitri Bivol, who will unify the division in June in Saudi Arabia.
But the Pamepllone-Zinad clash came perilously close to being axed after their teams clashed in a heated gloves meeting following Tuesday’s weigh-ins.
The incident happened when their respective teams traded verbal insults, including several expletives sent in Zinad’s crew’s direction.
Zinad then picked up a boxing glove and threw it at Pampellone’s coach, Isaac Peach.
The veteran Kiwi trainer dodged the projectile, which slammed into a wall, before the confrontation threatened to turn physical, with at least one individual getting up on a table.
The flare-up cooled down before any real damage could be done, but witnesses say it was close to being enough to have the bout scrapped entirely.
While the drama unfolded around him, the coolest character in the room was Pampellone, who simply sat back and watched the madness unfold.
Nicknamed The Panther, Pampellone is a perfect 18-0 with 11 knockouts, is ranked with the IBF, WBC and WBO and is considered one of New Zealand’s most exciting prospects.
NIKITA TSZYU VS DANILO CREATI FULL FIGHT CARD
Pay per view card
Nikita Tszyu vs Danilo Creati – Super welterweight
Jerome Pampellone vs Malik Zinad – IBF World Light-heavyweight eliminator
Clara Lescurat vs Linn Sandstrom – WBA Super flyweight world title
Cesar Mateo Tapia vs Keiber Gonzalez – WBA Latina Middleweight title
Benjamin Hussein vs Mason Smith – Super welterweight
Prelims
Jasmine Parr vs Sarah Watt – Super flyweight
Charlie Kazzi vs Joe Kara – Lightweight
Shanell Dargan vs Christine Gillespie – Super bantamweight
Andrei Mikhailovic vs Les Sherrington – Catchweight
What time does Tszyu vs Creati start?
The first televised prelim fight starts at 5:30pm, with the PPV kicking off at 7pm.
Expect Tszyu and Creati to fight after 9:30pm.
HOW TO WATCH TSZYU VS CREATI
The prelims will be on Fox Sports channel 503 and Kayo Sports.
The PPV is available on Main Event and Kayo, and can be purchased here.
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