George Rose urges Eddie Hearn to push for a boxing match between Nikita Tszyu and Josh Kelly, while Tszyu's team also plans a fight with Jaron Ennis. Tszyu faces Oscar Diaz in Newcastle tonight, with potential future bouts against Keith Thurman, Tony Harrison, and Sebastian Fundora. Tszyu's manager Glen Jennings reveals Hearn once tried to sign Tszyu, offering placement alongside Anthony Joshua and Katie Taylor.
George Rose has urged Eddie Hearn to keep pushing an Ashes blockbuster between Nikita Tszyu and English superstar Josh Kelly , convinced the UK promoter is effectively “talking things into existence”.
The declaration comes as Tszyu’s team have also confirmed plans for the ‘The Butcher’ to eventually throw down against American superstar Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – and suggested the likes of Keith Thurman and Tony Harrison could be up next. Tszyu vs Diaz | Wednesday 6 May from 7pm AEST | Nikita Tszyu continues his rise in boxing as he takes on Spain’s undefeated Oscar Diaz.
|Elsewhere, Tszyu’s longtime manager Glen Jennings has also revealed how Hearn once made a play for his client, offering him placement within a stable boasting the likes of Anthony Joshua, Katie Taylor and Bam Rodriguez. Throw in too, the fact Rose says his client has the power to KO every champion in the division -- including Sebastian Fundora.
Currently on an undefeated tear of 11 straight wins, 28-year-old Tszyu is now readying for the biggest test of his career against exciting, young Spaniard Oscar Diaz, in Newcastle tonight. Apart from being world ranked by the WBO, Diaz is also three years younger than Tszyu, boasts three more years’ experience and, according to statistics, also owns a reach advantage.
Yet should the younger Tszyu continue his unbeaten streak, he is already being talked up for an incredible hit list including world champions, future Hall of Famers, even that loudmouthed American who big brother beat up. Understanding how for so much of his rise until now, the Nikita story has involved cobra blood, or breast milk, bull testicles, Liver Kings, hand surgery, climbing trees, building log cabins and, of course, being sponsored by Taboo Hub — Australia’s premium online adult store.
“Because there is definitely an element to Nikita Tszyu – you know, the Prince of Darkness narrative – that people find very addictive,” Jennings told Fox Sports Australia this week. “But if he goes 10 rounds on Wednesday night, the talk won’t so much be around Nikita the character, but how he’s fought ... ”Rose, however, sees things slightly differently.
“Because rounds are great, yeah,” he says, smile widening and the impending punchline. “But so are knockouts. “And I believe Nikita Tszyu knocks out every world champion in the super welterweight division, including Sebastian Fundora. ”BOOTS BLOCKBUSTER Speaking with Fox Sports Australia in Melbourne only last week, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn heaped praise on the “exciting” Tszyu, who he insisted will be “very soon challenging for a world title”.
As a result, Hearn declared interest in offering up IBF super welterweight champ Kelly for what would be an exciting Ashes showdown. The UK promoter, somewhat surprisingly, also then pitched up Ennis — who is himself looking to unify world titles against Xander Zayas in June.
“Look, I know Eddie is starting to do shows out here,” Rose told Fox Sports Australia on fight eve. “And if you want to make some noise in Australian boxing, you’ve got to talk about the Tszyu boys. “When it comes to making an impact down here, you have to talk these guys up. Especially if you want anyone to listen.
“He’s used all these names because it helps to gain traction here and we understand that. “And the more Eddie talks about these fights, the more chance there is of something happening. “And when Nikita is ready for world titles, they’re exactly the people we want.
”Should Tszyu defeat Diaz this Wednesday night, Rose said there are already discussions around going straight into a fight with former world champ Harrison – the same man Tim Tszyu brutally stopped to earn WBO interim gold three years ago. Two years ago, the fighter dubbed ‘One Time’ was slated to headline against Tim Tszyu in Las Vegas, only to withdraw late in what would prove a huge sliding doors moment for Australia’s pay-per-view king.
Then last year, Thurman again seemed on track for ‘The Phoenix’ when he travelled Down Under and stopped Brock Jarvis – but instead would eventually go into a world title fight with Sebastian Fundora. However, given Tszyu arrives at Wednesday night’s Diaz showdown having completed only three rounds in two years, it would seem long odds he gets either man next.
Regardless, we certainly know Harrison is in if asked, with the former world champ having already outed his interest in eventually avenging his Tim Tszyu loss, or taking on a little brother who “is still wet behind the ears”. Back in December, during an interview with Main Event’s Ben Damon, Harrison laughed when asked about fighting the younger Tszyu sibling, saying: “Isn’t he like 12?
” Told Nikita had gone 11 fights without loss, and would definitely be looking to level up over the next year, Harrison grinned: “Listen to me, I’m not gunna keep losing to the Tszyus.
“But you’re calling me to fight , who is still kinda wet behind the ears? I watched him fight and think he’s technically sound, we just haven’t heard of him yet. So keep doing your thing. Tszyu vs Diaz | Wednesday 6 May from 7pm AEST | Nikita Tszyu continues his rise in boxing as he takes on Spain’s undefeated Oscar Diaz.
|Despite all of the above, Tszyu’s longtime manager Glen Jennings has also conceded to Fox Sports Australia that his client – who he brands a “rookie” – could still be four more fights from a world title showdown. Despite currently being ranked as high as No.6 with the IBF, Jennings admitted there remains a large gap between that figure and another key metric – rounds.
“Because in Nikita Tszyu, you’ve got this exciting young, undefeated fighter. A guy who has already reached superstar status here in Australia.
“Because it’s only through rounds that you get maturity in the ring. Same as it is only through rounds you get a sense of understanding about your craft, and time to refine that craft. And right now, Oscar Diaz represents that first step.
“But if Nikita gets him out in a round? ” Jennings shrugged.
“We’ve achieved nothing in terms of closing the gap. So as for what, exactly, stands between Tszyu and those biggest fights above?
“We need to get to a point where he has another 50, 60 rounds under his belt,” Jennings continued. “That, and ensure he’s been in with some great guys. “Until then, we won’t consider launching Nikita into those biggest fights. He’s still a young man who has a lot to offer.
”“Well, they’re great names aren’t they? ” the manager grinned.
“Boots Ennis and Josh Kelly. “But when that happens? It’s impossible to say. Elsewhere, Jennings revealed he was not surprised to hear Hearn talking up his client, given he once actually made a play to sign ‘The Butcher’.
“Yeah, Eddie and I spoke about Nikita prior to him turning pro,” he said. “While he’d only seen bits and pieces of Nikita, he told us ‘I like the look of him’. Asked about the narrative beginning to shift on Tszyu, from quirky younger brother to genuine world title contender, and Rose agrees “And I know when it comes to Oscar Diaz, a lot of Aussie fight fans may not be aware of him,” Rose explained.
“But a win for Nikita here? It means he’s right on the doorstep for those names people do know.
“That’s when people will understand just how bloody good he is. Importantly, Rose insists Tszyu can KO every single star of the super welterweight division.
“I really believe he can knock out anyone in the world at super welterweight. “I was speaking on broadcast this week and they brought up Keith Thurman and Tony Harrison. And if Nikita knocks out someone like that, I’m not complaining.
Please follow us on Google to support us Nikita Tszyu Josh Kelly Eddie Hearn Boxing Oscar Diaz
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cocky rival plots ‘Tszyu-castle’ takeover, mics cut after undercard chaos erupts at fiery presserBoxing: Nikita Tszyu is ready to do damage to his ranked opponent, Oscar Diaz, speaking at their press conference ahead of Wednesday night's blockbuster.
Read more »
‘You can kill that s***’: Moment US superstar snubbed Tszyu as boxing grudge match eruptsBoxing: Catch the fiery moment when Aussie Tim Tszyu lashed back at upcoming opponent Errol Spence Jr following remarks about living in his father's shadow.
Read more »
Nikita Tszyu to Face Oscar Diaz, Prioritizes Uncle's Guidance for Title ShotNikita Tszyu discusses his upcoming fight against Oscar Diaz and clarifies that his uncle, Igor Goloubev, is his primary boxing trainer, not his father Kostya. He is willing to wait several years for a world title opportunity and will only fight for it when his uncle deems him ready.
Read more »
‘Geez... some s*** you should keep up your sleeve’: Tszyu’s remarkable pre-fight admissionBoxing: A fit and firing Nikita Tszyu makes weight against ranked opponent Oscar Diaz.
Read more »
Full fight card, what’s been said so far and who punters are backing for Tszyu blockbusterBoxing: Nikita Tszyu chats to the team after he successfully made weight.
Read more »
Rebel Wilson and wife Ramona Agruma welcome second daughter Rose Estelle, amid ongoing defamation case7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »