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<\/p>\nThis is Fox Sports Australia\u2019s combat sports column Fighting Words, where we give you all the latest news and views in MMA and boxing, from Australia and abroad.<\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu has been declared the superstar most likely to headline an historic \u20185V5\u2019 showdown between Eddie Hearn and Australian promoters No Limit \u2013 and in what would be a hyped Ashes battle with new IBF super welterweight king Josh Kelly.<\/p>\n
Only days after Kelly aimed a shock throat-slitting taunt at Nikita Tszyu, Fighting Words can confirm it\u2019s big brother who could be catapulted to the top of historic pay-per-view if he beats American great Errol Spence Jnr next up.<\/p>\n
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Tszyu vs Diaz | Wednesday 6 May from 7pm AEST | Nikita Tszyu continues his rise in boxing as he takes on Spain\u2019s undefeated Oscar Diaz. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking with this column on Wednesday, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith said there is no doubting a win over Spence put \u2018The Phoenix\u2019 back into position for \u201cbig, big names\u201d — and potentially atop a unique 5V5 card that Hearn has already declared himself \u201cbang up for\u201d.<\/p>\n Yet given Nikita is also ranked at No.6 in the IBF super welterweight division \u2013 and two spots higher than his brother \u2013 Smith also refused to rule the undefeated 28-year-old out of a title bout with Kelly either.<\/p>\n In fact, there have been whispers this week suggesting Kelly is keen to fight either of the Tszyu boys, hence his bizarre appearance recently in a social media video posted by Nikita\u2019s next opponent — undefeated Spaniard Oscar Diaz<\/a>, who he faces in Newcastle on May 6. <\/p>\n Matchroom, meanwhile, is only a week out from its own Melbourne showcase featuring Skye Nicolson, Teremoana Jnr and Jake Wyllie. <\/p>\n Next Wednesday\u2019s card will be the first of seven shows held in Down Under by Matchroom Boxing over the next year. <\/p>\n Chatting with Fighting Words from his UK base on Wednesday night \u2013 and shortly before jetting out for Sydney \u2013 Smith said there was no doubt Tim Tszyu, if victorious over Spence, could then challenge for Kelly\u2019s IBF title.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, for sure, 100 per cent,\u201d the Matchroom chief executive started. \u201cTim Tszyu\u2019s got a huge commercial draw as a fighter.<\/p>\n \u201cBut it\u2019s also a hard fight he\u2019s got coming up against Spence.<\/p>\n \u201cVery tough fight.<\/p>\n \u201cEven with Spence\u2019s time out, his injuries, he is going to be a tough test. But if Tim can put himself through that, he definitely puts himself back in the position for those big, big names.\u201d<\/p>\n Diaz sends Nikita training message | 00:10<\/p>\n So as for who wins?<\/p>\n \u201cAs I\u2019m coming to Australia in the next few days I have to be careful what I say,\u201d Smith laughed.<\/p>\n \u201cBut in terms of boxing ability, you have to pick Spence. Although as we\u2019ve seen with a lot of guys who\u2019ve had time out of the ring, and injury, you never know what fighter is going to come back.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd in Australia Tszyu is going to have the support behind him. And because I\u2019m coming out there on Sunday, I\u2019m Team Australia for that one \u2026 I want to have some friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked about Nikita challenging for the title where he is ranked No.6, Smith continued: \u201cObviously, he\u2019s in the early stages of his career.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as always with someone boasting a surname like he has, there is a lot more pressure to move at pace. Given he [Nikita] is only 11 fights in, I think he needs time to develop rather than be rushed into anything and make mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n Elsewhere, the Matchroom chief also answered questions on Justis Huni, Liam Paro vs Lewis Crocker, even the likelihood of bankrolling a fight between Michael Zerafa and Chris Eubank Jnr (see items below).<\/p>\n On the second of those, Smith revealed a new deal had likely been finalised overnight for his IBF welterweight champ Croker to face Paro, in either June or July.<\/p>\n Then, of course, is the idea of that 5V5 showdown against No Limit.<\/p>\n When interviewed by Fox Sports Australia back in December, Hearn declared himself \u201cbang up for\u201d pitting five of his own fighters against the No Limit stable, and just as he\u2019s already done with longtime UK rivals Queensberry.<\/p>\n While the Paro-Crocker bout will almost certainly be the pair\u2019s first big showdown of 2026, Smith suggested any concept pitting five fighters from each crew would almost certainly take longer to lock down.<\/p>\n He added the company would also take direction from their new Australian broadcast partner in determining how it all plays out moving forward.<\/p>\n TSZYU: \u2018THE GUY HATES MY BROTHER\u2019<\/p>\n Nikita Tszyu has opened up on the bizarre social media throat-slitting gesture aimed his way last week, while also revealing his theory behind American great Tim Bradley branding him a better fighter than big brother Tim.<\/p>\n Back in February, Bradley delivered a blistering verbal assault on Tim Tszyu \u2013 branding the former world champion \u201cdone\u201d, a worse fighter than Nikita, and set to be knocked cold by Errol Spence Jnr.<\/p>\n At one point during his rant, the American great even declared: \u201cTim Tszyu\u2019s little brother is better than him. I know he be whoopin\u2019 his ass in the gym for real …\u201d<\/p>\n And why?<\/p>\n \u201cThe guy just hates my brother,\u201d Nikita laughed this week. \u201cHonestly, I think that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea where [the bad blood] comes from.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Tim Bradley\u2019s obviously an extremely vocal figure in the sport. Someone too, who is really comfortable voicing his opinion. And I do respect that.<\/p>\n \u201cBut he also has a certain opinion of my brother. That\u2019s why it came out.<\/p>\n \u201c[Laughs] But I\u2019ll still take what he says as a compliment I guess \u2026 if he wants to give some praise to me in the process I\u2019ll take it\u201d.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n \u2018SOMETHING HE HAD TO DO\u2019: Kostya sacrifice Nikita isn\u2019t willing to make as world title plot revealed<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018OUTWORK EVERYONE\u2019: Ex-world champ\u2019s ominous Tszyu warning after Spence Jr training reveal<\/a><\/p>\n Tszyu def. Nurja by unanimous decision | 02:24<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Tszyu said he had no issue with upcoming rival Oscar Diaz \u2013 who he faces in Newcastle on May 6 \u2013 taking to social media this week to call him out, and then drag a thumb across his throat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich I\u2019m happy about,\u201d Tszyu stressed. \u201cIt means he\u2019s coming to fight, and with energy. That\u2019s exactly what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n Bizarrely, the clip started with Diaz hitting the heavy bag, which was being held by new IBF champ Kelly.<\/p>\n Some saw the Englishman\u2019s presence as a way of mocking the Tszyu clan \u2013 given he recently won his title against Bakhram Murtazaliev, who stopped Tim Tszyu in 2023 \u2013 while others suggested it may be his way into creating a rivalry.<\/p>\n SO YOU\u2019RE TELLING ME THERE\u2019S A CHANCE?<\/p>\n Back on Frank Smith, and the Matchroom CEO went incredibly close to reworking that famed line from Dumb and Dumber \u2013 \u201cso you\u2019re telling me there\u2019s a chance\u201d \u2013 when discussing the idea of bankrolling a fight between Michael Zerafa and Chris Eubank Jnr.<\/p>\n While Zerafa is confident of landing an Australian headliner against Eubank Jnr later this year, it seems neither promoter with domestic broadcasting rights, Matchroom and No Limit, will be involved. <\/p>\n But as for Smith putting a pin in it entirely?<\/p>\n \u201cBoxing is such a crazy sport that I\u2019ll never put a pin in anything,\u201d he grinned. \u201cBut it\u2019s a difficult ask bringing Chris Eubank Jnr to Australia. [Especially] on the back of the money he\u2019s already made. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd with all these things, you need someone with the money to put it on. So I won\u2019t say it\u2019s impossible. But as for Matchroom promoting it? On a percentage I\u2019d say six-and-a-half per cent \u2026 so not zero.\u201d<\/p>\n HUNI LANDS NEW DEAL<\/p>\n As part of a wide-ranging interview, Smith also said Huni is finalising a new Matchroom deal, with plans already in place to have him headline a big Australian card later this year.<\/p>\n The exciting announcement also ends the somewhat bizarre controversy that overshadowed his recent big win on Tyson Fury\u2019s undercard.<\/p>\n Fighting for the first time since losing to now WBO heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley, Huni\u2019s majority decision win against Frazer Clarke involved a bizarre fight day drama where Matchroom took aim at the slugger\u2019s fellow promoters Tasman Fighters and Goldstar for \u201ctortious interference\u201d \u2013 alleging they hadn\u2019t been informed of the bout.<\/p>\n Matchroom Boxing: Nicolson vs Turner | Wednesday 29 April from 7pm AEST | Watch Skye Nicolson vs Mariah Turner in an all-Aussie title showdown for the WBC Interim Super Bantamweight Championship | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Only hours before the bout took place, US boxing scribe Dan Rafael wrote that Matchroom were \u201cthreatening go to Netflix claiming it is about to air a fighter in breach of his contract with Matchroom, which would open Netflix to liability\u201d.<\/p>\n However Smith has declared the drama now over, adding that the hulking Queenslander is already in talks to headline Down Under later this year.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s definitely something we\u2019re working on now,\u201d he said. \u201cThe intention is to get Justis on one of those Matchroom shows. We had a deal prior to his most recent fight with Frazer Clarke, and agreed to a new deal. We\u2019re finalising that now and hopefully in short order it will be announced.<\/p>\n CANELO\u2019S SECRET ROLE WITH TSZYUCASTLE DESTROYER<\/p>\n So what chance Canelo Alvarez helps bring down Australia\u2019s most exciting fighter?<\/p>\n As first revealed by Fox Sports Australia earlier this month<\/a>, undefeated Aussie sensation Callum Peters is set to take a huge career leap in No Limit\u2019s Tszyucastle show on May 6, throwing down against dangerous American Joeshon James<\/a>.<\/p>\n Apart from having only lost one fight, to now interim WBC super middleweight champ Lester Martinez, the Californian has also worked as a sparring partner for megastar Alvarez.<\/p>\n Speaking with Fighting Words about the experience this week, James not only recounted Canelo trying to tear his head off in sparring, but stressed those same rounds have him ready for everything coming now.<\/p>\n Despite travelling across the world to face Peters in his own backyard, and before what will be a raucous Newcastle Entertainment Centre crowd, James stressed he is totally prepared thanks, in part, to having helped Canelo ready for his 2023 blockbuster against Jermell Charlo. <\/p>\n Asked about the sparring sessions, the American said: \u201cYou know, I don\u2019t really talk about it too much.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there are times every now and then where I do think, \u2018I really did help ready Canelo Alvarez for a world title fight in Las Vegas\u2019 \u2026 it\u2019s crazy. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd to improve, you have to spar people who will bring you up. [Laughs] And who else can bring you up like Canelo Alvarez?<\/p>\n \u201cIf you spend all your time around five world champions, you\u2019ll become the sixth, you know what I mean? And that\u2019s how that camp went. I just elevated. It made me a better boxer everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n And as for the rounds themselves?<\/p>\n \u201cOnce Canelo is all geared up, you can\u2019t see too much of the red hair,\u201d he grinned. \u201cI just remember his eyes, looking at me.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d spar four-minute rounds and the whole time, he\u2019s downloading you. Downloads you for three minutes and, once the data is in, he comes at you for that last minute \u2026 and he wants to tear your head off.\u201d<\/p>\n Joeshon James, the dangerous upcoming opponent for Callum Peters, with Canelo Alvarez.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n BLONDE BOMBER CALLS OUT OLD FOE<\/p>\n Former world champ Ebanie Bridges has declared she wants to settle unfinished business with longtime rival Shannon Courtenay after returning to the winner\u2019s circle over the weekend.<\/p>\n Fighting for the second time since becoming a mum, the former maths teacher from western Sydney ground out a hard-fought win over Ebonie Cotton on Sunday.<\/p>\n Now, with momentum back on her side, the \u201cBlonde Bomber\u201d has set her sights on a familiar name \u2013 the woman who handed her one of the most painful defeats of her career.<\/p>\n Courtenay famously beat Bridges in a spiteful 2021 world title clash, a bout that the Aussie still thinks she did enough to win.<\/p>\n The build-up was as heated as they come, and while Bridges has since gone on to claim world honours, she has never hidden her desire to run it back.<\/p>\n Ebanie Bridges.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cMe and Shanny are both on the winning trajectory and it just makes sense, doesn\u2019t it?\u201d Bridges told this column on Wednesday. \u201cWe both went our own way and we\u2019ve kind of come back full circle and I think we\u2019re both ready to take that fight. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd I want that fight. I still believe I can beat her \u2013 I still believe I won the last fight and many other people do too. Even with one eye.<\/p>\n \u201cI know she wants it and I think it\u2019s a fight for the fans around the world.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully MVP see the value in it.\u201d<\/p>\n ZALAL TO CALL OUT VOLK<\/p>\n Featherweight contender Youssef Zalal has vowed to call out Aussie superstar Alexander Volkanovski this weekend \u2013 if he takes care of business against Aljamain Sterling at UFC Fight Night 274.<\/p>\n Currently ranked No.7, Zalal admits it annoys him that Volk refuses to acknowledge him in interviews \u2013 a snub he\u2019s desperate to make impossible to ignore.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one thing that still pisses me off and I can\u2019t wait to prove it, is Volk doesn\u2019t mention my name ever, in any interviews, anything,\u201d Zalal told MMA Junkie.<\/p>\n \u201cHe mentioned Aljamain plenty of times, so I\u2019m excited to go for a statement and really show \u2018The Great\u2019 how great I am.\u201d <\/p>\n Zalal says he has \u201cthe receipts\u201d on the Windang Warrior.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s so disrespectful\u2026 he talks about everyone else and he\u2019s ignoring me even though I\u2019m in the top ten,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI was like, \u2018you don\u2019t want to know my name? I\u2019ll make you know my name\u2019. I can\u2019t wait to do that.<\/p>\n \u201c… I know I can bring multiple dangers to his game and I know I will have the speed [advantage] against him.\u201d<\/p>\n PROCHAZKA ADMITS \u201840\u201350%\u2019 DISPLAY AFTER TITLE LOSS<\/p>\n Jiri Prochazka says he was operating at \u201cmaybe 40, 50 per cent\u201d during his shock loss to Carlos Ulberg \u2013 conceding a lapse in focus ultimately handed the Kiwi the UFC light heavyweight strap.<\/p>\n