Nikita Tszyu joins family boxing business
Murray Wenzel |
Nikita Tszyu has ditched his “boring” life as an architect to follow his father Kostya and brother Tim into the ring as a professional boxer.
The 24-year-old will fight unbeaten Aaron Stahl (2-0-1) at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on March 2 in the same super welterweight class as his brother.
The card also features Dennis Hogan in a final eliminator for the IBO super welterweight world title against Wade Ryan.
The former amateur champion looked set for a white-collar career when he gave boxing away to study about five years ago.
The itch returned while watching his brother march to a 20-0 record and mandated world title challenger.
While the Tszyu name carries weight, Nikita held his own as an amateur thanks to his reputation as a danger puncher and admission that he’s “a little bit more messy” than his brother, earning him the nickname of “The Butcher”.
“(Architecture) got a little too boring for me … I have this energy inside me that was hating it,” Tszyu said on Wednesday.
“As soon as I started training again that will, determination popped up again and it felt right.”
He is managed by Glenn Jennings, who oversaw Kostya’s world-beating career as well as handling Tim’s affairs.
“Nikita comes to the ring on March 2 with bad intentions,” Jennings said.
“He’s been out of the game for a long time … I can guarantee you one thing, when Nikita dedicates himself to something, and he did with his university degree … don’t blink.
“Don’t get out of your seat. Don’t go anywhere.”
BRISBANE’S MARCH 2 FIGHT CARD
* Nikita Tszyu v Aaron Stahl
* Dennis Hogan v Wade Ryan
* Liam Wilson v Joe Noynay 2
* Stevie Spark v River Daz
AAP
