Wild scenes as Nikita Tszyu arrives late for weigh-in ahead of Danilo Creati title fight in Sydney

Nikita Tszyu has shown up more than an hour behind schedule and looked gaunt as he hit the scales ahead of his first Australian title fight defence.

There were wild scenes at Moore Park after Nikita Tszyu was an apparent no-show for the weigh-in ahead of his Australian super-welterweight title fight with Danilo Creati.

Confusion spread after announcer Lieutenant Dan Hennessy announced his arrival just after midday on Tuesday, but the defending champion was nowhere to be seen.

Boxing broadcaster Ben Damon was instead forced to vamp for several minutes with a series of interviews on stage.

BOXING: Nikita Tszyu returns to the ring for the first time in 2024 to defend his title against Danilo Creati plus another 4 big titles on the card | WED 24 APR 7PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Tszyu eventually arrived in a white Jeep driven by his uncle and trainer Igor Goloubev, walking straight from the vehicle and onto the stage, where he tipped the scales at 69.82kg – just below the 69.9kg super-welterweight limit.

Noticeably drawn, Tszyu at first claimed he lost track of time while walking his dogs, before revealing he had trouble shedding the final two kilograms.

“There were a few complications making weight this morning, but we got it done,” he said. “The steam room wasn’t really working at home.

“We also had a sauna that we used, and a bath as a back-up, but my body just wasn’t losing weight from the steam room.”

Tszyu was scheduled to arrive at Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter at 11:15am, but revealed he didn’t even leave home after making weight until 12pm.

A quirky character, Tszyu revealed that his offbeat method of losing weight on Monday was to play Pickle Ball, which he and older brother Tim were introduced to in America earlier this year.

“Pickle ball’s amazing,” he said. “We lost two kilos from that session.

“I had to lose two kgs this morning, but that’s normal. I do it all the time.

“I felt worse after the Dylan Biggs one, I actually feel pretty good. Just the ears popping and I feel a little light-headed from all the heat.

“But once the fuel comes back in, the water replenishes, I’ll be good to go.”

Nikita Tszyu playing Pickle Ball. Picture: No Limit Boxing

After being made to wait on stage for his rival, Creati – who weighed in at 69.68kg – had a simple message for Tszyu when they finally came face-to-face.

“I told him he looked really skinny, he looked weak,” Creati told this masthead. “He struggled with it, it’s written on his face.”

A massive underdog, Creati – who already has concerns about the officiating on fight night given Tszyu’s star power – said the delay was unprofessional.

“Definitely not a good look,” he said. “I had 140 fights as an amateur, 10 as a pro, I’ve never missed weight.

“It’s part of being a professional fighter.”

Danilo Creati at Tuesday’s weigh in. Picture: No Limit Boxing

No Limit CEO George Rose admitted he had real concerns about whether his fighter would make weight.

“I was surprised, because I know how meticulous Nikita is,” Rose told this masthead. “When things go wrong, it makes it very hard.

“He’s always early, always smiling for absolutely everything, so when they say Nikita’s not here yet, I had to ask again. I know for a fact he’s never late.

“Weigh-in day is tough and if things don’t go to plan, it can really hamper your preparation for the fight.”

The weigh-in day drama comes just over three weeks after Tim’s bloody world title defeat to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.

A noticeable absence from Tim’s corner and fight camp for his Vegas debut was granddad Boris.

More than just a figurehead, Boris is an integral part of Tim and Nikita’s teams, and attends every single training session of both of his grandsons.

Unable to travel long distance though, Boris wasn’t in Las Vegas, but has been on hand for Nikita’s preparation in what some have called the missing piece of the puzzle.

“He wasn’t able to come to America, it’s a bit difficult for him to make it all the way over there, but it’s nice to have him around,” Nikita told this masthead. “He’s just a helping hand, he’s just always there.

“He’s always been the right-hand to us. He’s been whatever we need him to be forever.”

Boris’ absence was felt during Tim’s preparation to fight Sebastian Fundora.

“He does all of that support work and we love him to death for it,” manager Glen Jennings told this masthead. “But we’re all getting older, and you got a sense that he wasn’t there, because he’s such a stalwart.

“But this is Boris’ life. That keeps Boris alive – the boys. He lives for it.

“He’s the funniest, driest bit of gear you’ll ever meet. He cracks me up. He teaches me all the worst Russian words.”

Originally published as Wild scenes as Nikita Tszyu arrives late for weigh-in ahead of Danilo Creati title fight in Sydney