Nikita Tszyu apologises to rival before devastating TKO on pro boxing debut

Boxing prodigy Nikita Tszyu has absolutely obliterated Aaron Stahl in his professional debut, securing a second-round TKO victory.

Sorry about that mate.

Boxing prodigy Nikita Tszyu has absolutely obliterated Aaron Stahl in his professional debut, securing a comfortable second-round TKO victory in Brisbane.

Thirty years after father Kostya Tszyu made his boxing debut in Australia, the 23-year-old Nikita got his own professional boxing journey underway with a one-side super-welterweight clash at Nissan Arena.

You can watch a replay of the Nikita Tszyu v Aaron Stahl fight on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

With older brother Tim nervously watching on, Nikita walked out into the ring with the Undertaker music blaring from the venue’s speakers.

It quickly became apparent that Tszyu was the strong fighter in the ring, with Stahl copping blows early in the first round.

“Very sharp, every punch,” Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech noted on Fox Sports.

Stahl landed a couple of jabs of his own, but Tszyu undeniably held bragging rights after the opening round, which was highlighted by a potential knock-down that was not called by the referee.

When the second round got underway, Stahl’s face was already bloodied.

“He looks like he’s had 10 rounds already,” Fox Sports commentator Ben Damon said.

And after Tszyu delivered a flurry of powerful blows to his opponent’s head, Stahl helplessly sunk to canvas.

Tszyu even apologised to the referee and his opponent after thinking he’d landed an extra punch when Stahl was on the ground.

Nikita was saying sorry.

“Set it up, smart, set it up!” Tim yelled from the corner.

Stahl got back to his feet, but Tszyu only needed one more punch to end the bout, with the referee waving off the fight Stahl was knocked down a second time.
“He’s brutal,” Damon cried. “We’ve got another one.

“The perfect start for Nikita Tszyu as the legacy continues.”

Tim congratulated an emotional Nikita in the ring as he celebrated the comprehensive triumph.

“Flawless,” Tim said after the bout. “Look at what he did. He just dominated.”

Nikita Tszyu celebrates his win. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Tim, who had predicted his brother would claim a second-round KO victory, confessed he had been “s***ting himself all day”.

“I’m super scared, I’m super nervous,” he told Fox Sports before the main event.

“It’s a weird feeling, it’s out of my hands, it’s out of my control.

“I love this kid to death and I know what’s he’s capable of doing and what I’m thinking, I’m hoping he’ll do it even quicker.”

When asked what he planned to do next, Nikita replied: “A bowl of ramen.”

“I didn’t expect it to be like this, it was a bit shocking at first, but after a little bit I felt more comfortable,” he said after the victory.

“There were a lot of straight lefts. It didn’t go fully to plan, there were moments that worked, moments that didn’t and it was a nice experience.”

Round two stoppage for Nikita Tszyu. Clinical stuff. #TszyuStahlpic.twitter.com/UHoOirj6lO

— Tom Naghten (@tnatts93) March 3, 2022

Nikita Tszyu with the 2nd round KO over Aaron Stahl on debut. He has a lot of pop in his gloves, leaves himself more open than Tim, so we’ll see a lot of exciting fights from this 23-year-old to come #TszyuStahl

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) March 3, 2022

Dub for Nikita Tszyu on debut. Inside two rounds. Brutal. Exciting. #TszyuStahl

— Caden Helmers (@cadenhelmers) March 3, 2022

Earlier on Thursday, Tim Tszyu confirmed his US debut was finally locked in as he looks to show the boxing world what he’s got.

Tszyu will face US Olympian Terrell Gausha on March 27 Australian time (March 26 US time) in Minneapolis.

“He’s definitely the best fighter I (will) have fought … No risk no reward,” Tszyu said in a statement.

“I am not here to sit on my a***. I love challenges and I love tests.”

‘Decimated’: Aussie’s brutal ‘left hook from hell’

Australian boxer Liam Wilson has secured a thrilling TKO victory over world No. 6 Joe Noynay to claim the WBO Asia Pacific super featherweight title.

Wilson and Noynay faced off in August last year, with the latter clinching a fifth-round TKO win.

And on Thursday evening, Wilson finally got his redemption.

After knocking down Noynay early in the second round, the 25-year-old delivered the telling blow with a vicious left hook that sent his rival to the canvas.

Noynay lay motionless for a couple of seconds before desperately returning to his feet, but the Filipino’s trainers waved off the fight before he had a chance to protest.

Liam Wilson celebrates winning against Joe Noynay. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Liam Wilson has decimated Joe Noynay in Brisbane with the left hook from hell,” Fox Sports commentator Ben Damon cried.

“That is something else.

“We have seen one of the best knockouts in recent Australian boxing history.

“We cannot quite believe what we’ve seen.”

Noynay tipped the scales at 62.92kg on Wednesday, nearly four kilograms over the super-featherweight limit of 59kg, and not far off the super-lightweight maximum.

Despite some conjecture as to whether the fight should go ahead, Wilson was adamant he wanted the rematch.

“For eight months I’ve been thinking about this guy, more than my kids, and it was very draining,” Wilson said after the triumph.

“I couldn’t wait to get in here tonight and get rid of him out of my life.”

"LEFT HOOK FROM HELL" 🤯
🔥

Liam Wilson KO's Joe Noynay in the second round! 😳

BLOG 👉 https://t.co/oduUc1jxpq
📺 Tune in LIVE on Fox Sports Ch. 505 or stream on @kayosports 👉 https://t.co/MD3fLBYmIGpic.twitter.com/CxYSG9LfS8

— MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) March 3, 2022

Full fight card

Nikita Tszyu defeated Aaron Stahl via TKO (R2)

Dennis Hogan defeated Wade Ryan via unanimous decision (116-111, 117-110 120-108)

Liam Wilson defeated Joe Noynay via TKO (R2)

Stevie Spark defeated River Diaz via TKO (R6)

Danilo Creati defeated Cameron Hammond via unanimous decision (78-73, 79-71 x2)

Originally published as Nikita Tszyu apologises to rival before devastating TKO on pro boxing debut