Nikita Tszyu Escapes Upset in First Fight of the Year

In his first fight of the year, Nikita Tszyu faced a tough challenge from Italian veteran Danilo Creati as he defended his Australian super welterweight title. Tszyu came out strong, dominating the early rounds and setting the stage for a potential knockout. However, Creati showed incredible resilience and turned the fight around in the sixth round with a savage right hand that rocked Tszyu.

Despite the setback, Tszyu managed to hold on and the fight went the distance. In the end, the judges awarded Tszyu the victory via unanimous decision, with scores of 100-88, 99-90, and 100-89. This win takes Tszyu’s record to an impressive 9-0, with 7 knockouts under his belt.

The fight at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion was a true test for the 26-year-old Aussie, who found himself in a tough battle once again. With his older brother Tim cheering him on ringside, Nikita put on a career-best performance, pouring on countless punches in a display that was described as “faultless” by Main Event commentator Ben Damon.

Reflecting on the fight, Tszyu acknowledged Creati’s toughness, stating, “He could honestly take a shot. I felt I hurt him early and I felt I could have stopped him but he kept enduring and every shot he recovered from. Hats off to him.”

Looking ahead, there are several potential opponents lined up for Tszyu, including Brock Jarvis, Ben Hussain, Wade Ryan, and Koen Mazoudier. Despite the tough battle, Tszyu remains determined and focused on his future in the ring.