Nikita Tszyu will return to Newcastle on Wednesday, May 6, when he takes on unbeaten Spanish contender Oscar Diaz in a major No Limit Boxing main event.
Unbeaten at 11-0 with nine knockouts, Tszyu has emerged as one of the most dangerous rising names in Australian boxing. The 28-year-old Sydneysider owns an 81.82 per cent knockout rate and continues to build momentum in the stacked super welterweight division, with Newcastle set to stage the next chapter in his ascent.
The bout marks a return to one of the most significant cities of Tszyu’s professional career.
Tszyu is 3-0 in Newcastle, with all three victories coming at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, including his memorable November 2023 win over Dylan Biggs, when he climbed off the canvas in the opening round to stop Biggs and claim the Australian super welterweight title. It was a breakthrough performance that underlined the grit, composure and power that have helped make Tszyu one of Australian boxing’s standout attractions.
There is also a bigger story attached to Tszyu’s return.
The Tszyu family has never lost in Newcastle, compiling a perfect 13-0 professional record in the city across Kostya, Tim and Nikita Tszyu. On May 6, Nikita returns carrying a family legacy of 13 straight professional wins in the city and the opportunity to add another chapter to one of the most remarkable dynasties in Australian boxing.
Tszyu enters the fight with renewed motivation following his last outing against Michael Zerafa, which ended in controversy after an accidental head clash opened a cut over Zerafa’s right eye and the bout was ruled a No Contest. It was an unsatisfying finish to one of Australian boxing’s biggest domestic grudge matches and denied Tszyu the type of emphatic statement he appeared ready to deliver.
Now, he gets the chance to move forward against another dangerous and undefeated opponent.
Diaz brings a perfect 16-0 record into Newcastle and shapes as a serious test in a high-stakes clash for Tszyu at an important stage of his career. For Tszyu, it is the kind of fight that can restore momentum, sharpen his standing and deliver another signature performance in a city that has long been tied to the Tszyu name.
The Newcastle card will also feature Olympian Callum Peters backing up after his impressive performance in Wollongong, alongside CJ Mundine, son of Australian boxing legend and former world champion Anthony Mundine, Jack Bowen and a host of exciting Australian prospects.
Fans in the Hunter will also have plenty of local talent to get behind, with Brandon Grach, Brent Walton, Kyron Dryden and Ben Amos all set to feature on the card.
No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose said, “Nikita is one of the fastest-rising names in Australian boxing and every time he fights, he keeps forcing his way higher up the world rankings. He’s unbeaten, he’s exciting, he’s dangerous and this is another huge chance for him to keep building towards the biggest fights in the division.
“There’s no question the Zerafa fight left a bad taste. It ended in controversy, it ended in frustration and it denied Nikita the type of statement he was ready to make. That’s why this return is so exciting. He’s hungry, he’s motivated and he wants to remind everyone exactly who he is.
“And to bring him back to Newcastle makes this even better. He’s already had some huge moments there and everyone remembers the Dylan Biggs fight, when he got off the canvas and showed exactly what he’s made of to win the Australian title. That was a massive moment in his rise and it’s one of the reasons Newcastle has become such an important city in Nikita’s story.”
Nikita Tszyu said, “I love Newcastle. The arena has a special feeling to it, and every time I’ve fought here, the energy has been different. It feels like home.
“We’re breaking into the world stage now, taking on an international opponent, and we’re at the point where we need more experience. There’s a lot of attention around me, but not enough experience yet, so we need to lift that.
“I know enough about Diaz to understand how I need to approach the fight and what I need to do to win. The Newcastle crowd is always rowdy. There’s some kind of energy that flows through here. It feels pure Australian out here, and I love that.”
Tickets for Tszyu vs. Diaz are on sale now via Ticketek, while the event will be broadcast live in Australia on Main Event and Kayo Sports.
* Information via media release from No Limit Boxing *