Nikita Tszyu’s Vanishing Act: Injury, Mystery, and a Brewing Boxing Showdown
It’s one of the strangest stories in Australian boxing right now—Nikita Tszyu has disappeared from the spotlight, and nobody seems to know exactly when he’ll be back. For fans who’ve followed the aggressive rise of the younger Tszyu brother, his absence has raised more than a few eyebrows. Not seen in the ring since August last year, Nikita’s been off the radar almost completely, save for his brief and emotional corner stoppage in October 2024, when he threw in the towel for his older brother Tim during a brutal clash with Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Since then? Silence.
And the silence is only making the mystery grow louder.
Nikita had been one of the busiest fighters in the country after his pro debut—racking up fights consistently in 2022 and 2023, and continuing strong into 2024 before things suddenly stopped. The official line is a hand injury that required surgery, but behind the scenes, whispers suggest there were unexpected complications with his recovery. His promoters, No Limit, haven’t been offering much clarity either, staying uncharacteristically quiet about his timeline. Even Nikita himself hasn’t spoken publicly in months.
Also Read:- NYT Strands for June 21: A Word Puzzle Full of Zeros and Wit
- India Dominate as Gill and Jaiswal Usher in a New Era at Headingley
But now, reports are beginning to trickle in—he might finally return in August. And if things go according to plan, that bout could set the stage for a high-stakes December showdown with Michael Zerafa.
Zerafa, never one to shy away from a media jab, has been vocal about what he sees as a clear path: beat Nikita and force Tim Tszyu into the ring to settle unfinished business. He’s openly mocked Nikita’s résumé, claiming the younger Tszyu is being protected, living off a name, and hasn’t faced a fighter of real caliber yet. To Zerafa, this is more than just another fight—it’s a strategic move to reignite a rivalry with Tim that fizzled in 2021 after Zerafa pulled out late from their highly anticipated matchup.
“I’m the A-side going into this,” Zerafa said. “You take away that last name, and he wouldn’t even be in the conversation.”
Zerafa wants to prove he’s still the biggest threat to the Tszyu legacy, and beating Nikita—especially in dominant fashion—might be his ticket. He believes a statement win would provoke Tim, and push the elder Tszyu into finally accepting a fight that’s been years in the making.
The only question now: will Nikita Tszyu actually make it back in time? Or is this mysterious injury the beginning of a long-term setback for one of Australia’s most promising young talents?
All eyes will be on August. And if that goes ahead, December could be the month Australian boxing ignites once again.
Read More:
0 Comments