American superstar Rolly Romero has asked Tim Tszyu for the “leftovers” of Errol Spence Jnr – and on the same crazy broadcast where Nikita Tszyu knocked down a Newcastle Knights mascot and completed padwork with Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach.
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. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
In a huge Sunday for Australian fight fans, Tim Tszyu has had his July blockbuster against Spence made official in Las Vegas, while Nikita starred at a typically unconventional open workout session in Newcastle to promote this Wednesday night’s headliner against Oscar Diaz.
Given the event is taking place at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, promoters No Limit kicked off fight week festivities outside McDonald Jones Stadium – and only hours before the Knights played South Sydney.
As part of his appearance, Tszyu first did some light work with trainer Igor Goloubev, before then adding in some impromptu padwork with Kangaroos great Roach, who was already at the stadium as part of the Fox Sports NRL commentary team.
And then in signature Nikita style, ‘The Butcher’ also did some playful sparring with the Knights mascot who had entered the ring — with a right jab sending him, somewhat theatrically, sprawling to the canvas.
All of which formed part of a crazy morning that also saw two undercard fighters – including Australian light heavyweight prospect Kirra Ruston – involved in a car accident on the way to the venue.
During a live broadcast for the Newcastle open workouts, Main Event host Megan Barnard also crossed live to Tim Tszyu in the United States, where he had only hours early completed a fiery press conference with Spence to announce their impending Australian headliner.
Amid the interview, Tszyu was asked about all the shock news over the past 48 hours of him fighting at a 158 pound catchweight when you could hear the fighter say “I’m on a Fox interview … wait, what’s that?”
Then when he came back up into shot, Romero was alongside him.
“The fight’s at 158?” Romero then asked Tszyu, genuinely surprised before adding, “I get the leftovers?”
“Of course, brother,” Tszyu cackled in reply.
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Earlier, Tszyu was also asked how it felt to finally have everything signed off?
“It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?” he grinned. “It sort’ve kicked in last week when I was driving. I was like ‘man, I’m going to be fighting Errol Spence, at home’. It’s insane.
“And now it’s more of a reality, having seen him.
“We don’t like each other. That comes from both sides. And I can’t wait to get in there and crack on.”
Tszyu then opened up on the obvious hostility between the pair at Sunday’s press conference, which saw the Aussie brand his rival a “disrespectful f***” after Spence, first, refused to shake his hand. The American also took a dig at Tszyu, suggesting he was nothing like his father.
So as for Tszyu’s not-so-subtle response?
“He made it that way,” he said of Spence. “I’m a respectful guy. But when you go up to someone and they fully reject you … I see how it is, we’re not friends and that’s alright.
“Let’s keep that energy.
“Because I’m going to keep it.
“We’re going to crack each other in the head and it’s a little more personal.”
Interviewed in the ring by Main Event’s Ben Damon after his own chaotic appearance, Nikita laughed: “I had a bit of energy to push out”.
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. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Nikita speaks on upcoming Diaz bout | 01:40
And as for his rival, who also completed a brief workout, and briefer interview?
“I know he’s coming to fight,” Tszyu said. “And we’re going to put on a spectacle. He’s got a dog in him and we’re going to put on something special.
“I’ve seen the way he fights. And I know he won’t want to take backward steps. That’s the recipe for a great night
“And I’m going to bring a style that puts people on edge. Get them up out of their seats.”
Elsewhere, Ruston also revealed how he and super middleweight Jack Bowen had been involved in a car accident on the way to the stadium.
On Wednesday night, Ruston fights undefeated Turk Berkay Varol, while Bowen faces Wollongong’s Tonga Tongotongo.
“Slight delay, we had a little car crash on the way in,” he laughed of the incident, which occurred shortly after the pair arrived at Newcastle airport.
“We got a little tap on the back.
“But we’re OK. Got a little jolt but as I say, we get punched in the head for a living so we should be used to it.”