Nikita Tszyu produced a devastating statement return to the boxing ring on Saturday night. After a year-long sabbatical for hand surgery, he came back and blew everybody away with his latest skills. Against Lulzim Ismaili, the 33-year-old former world title challenger put on a remorseless, one-sided display. In the process he picked up a first-round TKO win, improving his unblemished ledger to 11-0.
Read about the battle that took place in the Tszyu clan’s mythical prizefight stadium down under. This is hallowed turf where his old man, Kostya Tszyu, and brother, Tim Tszyu, have never experienced the panic of defeat in a pro fight. Nikita didn’t let the grass grow under his feet in showing off his recovery. He connected with two early booming southpaw left hands that buzzed Ismaili, establishing control of the fight right away.
Only seconds into the battle, Tszyu caught his opponent with a crushing right hand that caused immediate harm. When he fell down, the referee stopped the action and called a clearly undeserved double count. Tszyu bounced back shortly and TKO’d Ismaili, landing a perfectly placed liver shot that cracked his opponent’s rib.
Tszyu’s triumph not only earned him the vacant WBO intercontinental super-welterweight title but extended the illustrious Tszyu family’s record in Australia to an impressive 52-0. This return was special for Nikita. He visibly wanted to tackle his critics after getting booed at noticing his brother have trouble inside the ring over the last year and a half.
“I copped a lot of criticism with my brother’s recent fights,” – Nikita Tszyu
His victory sets him up for a long-expected domestic showdown against arch-rival Michael Zerafa. Zerafa’s team received an invitation to fight Tszyu, and the fighter himself is keen to face off against the up-and-comer. He wrote back ‘Overseas for a title eliminator, oh, 100%.
Nikita Tszyu’s return marks not only a personal victory but a continuation of his family’s boxing legacy. He would fully accept his steps into fatherhood with the birth of his daughter. Equally, he’s committed to carving his own future in the sport while respecting the amazing legacy created by his dad and sibling.
