Nikita Tszyu defeated Spain’s Oscar Diaz by sixth round stoppage Wednesday night in the main event of a No Limit Boxing card at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Australia, broadcast on Kayo and Fox Sports Australia. Tszyu controlled the fight throughout and forced Diaz’s corner to stop the bout after six rounds, though the ending generated controversy following a pair of punches that landed while Diaz was down on one knee on the canvas.
Tszyu, brother of Tim, returning for the first time since his no contest against Michael Zerafa earlier this year, controlled the action throughout before Diaz’s corner stopped the fight at the conclusion of Round 6.
“It was a split second reaction,” Tszyu said afterward. “I didn’t see his knees were on the ground. I saw him bent over. In my experience, if they’re bent over, keep punching.”
The ending, however, immediately sparked debate. Midway through the sixth, Diaz took a knee while pinned against the ropes under heavy pressure from Tszyu. A split second later, Tszyu landed two additional punches after Diaz’s knee had already touched the canvas. Diaz’s corner instantly protested to referee Will Soulos, while Tszyu appeared to acknowledge the late shots immediately after the sequence.
Had Diaz remained on the canvas, the bout could have potentially resulted in a disqualification. Instead, the Spaniard continued through the round before his team elected to halt the contest.
Despite the controversy, Tszyu was firmly in control for most of the fight. The unbeaten Australian repeatedly broke Diaz down behind a sharp left hand and scored a knockdown in the second round with a compact left to the chin.
Tszyu later admitted he was pleased to finally get meaningful rounds after several disrupted outings.
“Good to get the rounds in, good to get a sweat up,” Tszyu said. “He’s very tough. I landed some very big shots on his forehead and I was surprised he was able to take them.”
In the co-feature, highly regarded Australian prospect Callum Peters turned in the most complete performance of his young career with a dominant unanimous decision victory over veteran American Joeshon James.
Peters won by scores of 100-89, 100-89 and 99-90 in his first scheduled 10 round bout, improving steadily as the fight progressed while leaving James with severe swelling around both eyes.
The Paris Olympian mixed his usual hand speed and offensive volume with measured patience against the experienced James, who has previously shared sparring rounds with Canelo Álvarez, Caleb Plantand Carlos Adames.
“I feel like I rushed it in the first few rounds,” Peters said. The last few rounds I paced myself. But if you’re not learning you’re not boxing. There’s still stuff I’ve gotta improve on. Trying to work my jab a bit more, and I just didn’t have to rush it.”
Peters also expressed interest in appearing on the proposed July 26 undercard headlined by Tim Tszyuand Errol Spence Jr..
Rest of the Card:
- Rahim Mundine defeated Lance “G-Banger” McDonald by five round unanimous decision, earning scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 in a result that was heavily booed by the Newcastle crowd.
- Queensland’s Jack Bowen scored an emotional second round knockout victory over Tonga Tongotongo after entering the bout while dealing with a rib injury suffered during training camp and personal family adversity involving his sister’s battle with lung cancer.
- Unbeaten prospect Kirra Ruston improved to 9-0 with a third round knockout victory over Berkay Varol despite suffering a severe cut over his left eye caused by an accidental clash of heads early in the fight.
