Unbeaten Australian boxing star Nikita Tszyu will make his US debut on Saturday, December 5 (Sunday, December 6 AEDT) on the blockbuster card headlined by David ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez against Michal Cieslak at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The 28-year-old Sydney southpaw’s opponent will be confirmed soon.
Tszyu (12-0-1, 10 KOs) has never taken the easy road. He beat six unbeaten fighters in his first eight professional fights, then added previously unbeaten Lulzim Ismaili and Spaniard Oscar Diaz to his record.
He most recently went 12 rounds for the first time, fighting the undefeated Ben Mahoney to a controversial split draw in August.
The Desert Diamond Arena is steeped in Tszyu family history. On November 6, 2004, in the building formerly known as Glendale Arena, Nikita’s Hall of Fame father Kostya Tszyu claimed the final victory of his career.
He dropped Sharmba Mitchell four times on his way to a third-round stoppage to retain the IBF super lightweight world title. Now, 22 years on, his son walks out in the same arena.
“I’m excited to be making my US debut. To be on a massive David Benavidez card is truly an honour. He’s the most exciting fighter in the world. He comes forward, he hurts people and he never gives anyone an easy night. That’s the kind of fighting I respect. I also like to fight with that warrior mentality,” Tszyu said.
“Arizona is also where my father had his last victory, so it holds a special place in my heart. It will be special to write the next chapter of our family’s story there.
“I’ve been building for this moment and am ready for this next step in my career. I can’t wait for December 5th (Sunday 6th in Australia).”
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Phoenix’s own Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs), an unbeaten three-division world champion, comes home to Arizona to put his WBA and WBO cruiserweight world titles on the line against Poland’s WBC champion Cieslak (28-2, 22 KOs).
The stacked card also features unbeaten Vergil Ortiz Jr (24-0, 22 KOs) against former unified welterweight world champion Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman (31-2, 23 KOs) in the chief support. Unbeaten Emiliano ‘El General’ Vargas (18-0, 15 KOs) meets Omar Juarez (21-2, 8 KOs), and rising middleweight Marco Romero (16-0, 14 KOs) is also on the card.
The event is set to take place at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Saturday, December 5 (Sunday, December 6 AEDT).
The card is live on Main Event on Kayo Sports in Australia and on DAZN around the world.
