Nikita Tszyu has cooled talk of a world title fight after his impressive win over Spain's Oscar Diaz on Wednesday night at Newcastle Entertainment Centre. The 28-year-old super-welterweight improved to 12-0 when Diaz retired before the seventh round, having taken significant punishment throughout the bout, particularly in the sixth.
Despite the dominant performance, Tszyu urged caution about any immediate world title aspirations. 'No, relax. I'm still 12 fights in. World titles, it's not even a conversation yet,' he said. 'Yes there's a ranking, but there's still so much missing in experience. So just hold the horses guys, I'll get there eventually.'
Promoter George Rose of No Limit Boxing echoed Tszyu's sentiments, acknowledging the fighter's high ranking but stressing his rawness as a professional. 'Well it is a fact, he is ranked that high in the world that he could fight for a world title and an opportunity could be presented to him,' Rose said. 'But ... he is so raw in his professional career. There's been a lot of inactivity for him the last few years.' Rose added that Tszyu is ready for another step up and they hope to get him back in the ring soon.
The fight featured a controversial moment in the sixth round when Tszyu landed punches to Diaz's head while the Spaniard had a knee on the canvas. Diaz's coach jumped onto the ring to complain, and Tszyu apologised, saying he did not see the knee and did not intend to do anything dirty. Rose praised Tszyu's sportsmanship, noting Diaz had taken a lot of punishment before that point.
Tszyu, who has previously dealt with hand issues, was icing one hand after the fight and said it might be a career-long concern. He plans to stay active but first wants to rest and spend time with his family. 'I'll be training. I'm going to stay active. I like the momentum we've got at the moment,' he said.
On the undercard, Rahim Mundine won his fight against Lance McDonald but faced boos from the crowd, which he attributed to his father Anthony Mundine being 'the most-hated athlete ever in the country.' Other winners included Callum Peters, Kirra Ruston, Jack Bowen, and several local fighters.
