Boxing: Nikita Tszyu heads to US ahead of Koen Mazoudier bout
Nikita Tszyu will jet off to America next week for a month-long training camp alongside his brother Tim as he kicks off his preparation for his next bout.
Boxing/MMA
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Nikita Tszyu will jet off to America next week for a month-long training camp alongside his brother Tim as he kicks off preparations to fight Koen Mazoudier.
This masthead can reveal that after months of speculation, Nikita will officially defend his Australian super-welterweight title against the 12-3-1 Mazoudier.
The bout is expected to take place in late August.
The pair were slated to fight in April before Mazoudier suffered a ruptured eardrum in a win over Travis Druce in March.
“It’s one of those mouth-watering match-ups we’re lucky to have for Nikita,” No Limit CEO George Rose told this masthead.
“I’ve always been a fan of Mazoudier and he’s never been in a bad fight.
“Nikita Tszyu’s never been in a bad fight either.
“This one’s exciting and it’s a worthy defence against Mazoudier.”
Tim Tszyu is currently in a training camp in Thailand and will return to Australia this Sunday before he and Nikita fly to Las Vegas to train at the Split T Boxing Club they’ve adopted as a second home in America.
The brothers spent a month at the gym as Tim prepared to fight Sebastian Fundora and Nikita trained for his April title defence against Danilo Creati.
Nikita needed some time out after earning a hard-fought decision win over Creati, but has been on a collision course with Mazoudier for years.
“We were meant to fight in the amateur days, so it’ll be cool to finally get it going,” said Tszyu when he met Mazoudier face-to-face outside the ring moments after his win over Creati in April.
“He just said, ‘Let’s get it going’ and I said the same thing back.
“It’s not if, it’s when.”
Mazoudier has been in some of the most exciting domestic fights over the past four years.
“People like my style, people like his. I come to bang, he comes to bang,” he said.
“He gets hit, I get hit. I think I’m a crisper boxer, he’s probably stronger on the inside. He probably has more power, he’s very explosive and a tricky southpaw.”
Mazoudier has been in some of the most exciting domestic fights over the past four years, and says he has undergone huge improvements since he started training with Sam Goodman’s team on the Central Coast.
“I’ve been training well, the ear is one hundred per cent now, and I’m pumped to get this one on,” Mazouider told this masthead.
“I’ve been really impressed with Nikita over the past couple of years, and have been watching his professional career closely.
“He’s made some big improvements, especially since he won the title, but I see holes in his game as well and I think I can exploit them.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Boxing: Nikita Tszyu heads to US ahead of Koen Mazoudier bout
Combat coup: Foxtel, Kayo launch dedicated UFC channel
MMA fans, rejoice. A dedicated channel similar to Fox Footy AFL and Fox League NRL will give fans wall-to-wall UFC coverage for fight fans to devour.
Team Tszyu member’s crucial piece of advice for NRL boxing debutant
The former NRL journeyman could be in line for a spot on a No Limit card later this year, and there’s one piece of advice from a crucial member of Team Tszyu that he had to take on.