Nikita Tszyu was made to work for it but remained undefeated last night, stopping the tough Koen Mazoudier in Sydney.
The bout headlined the card promoted by No Limit Promotions which also had controversy in the semi-main event featuring Michael Zerafa.
Tszyu was able to find that extra gear when he needed it, and was able to rock Mazoudier, particularly with a straight left to earn the referee’s stoppage and move to 10-0 in his professional career.
The result will be a hard one to swallow for Mazoudier (12-4-1) who had his moments, and sensing Tszyu hurt late, threw for the fences but Tszyu foguht back to get the stoppage at 2:05 of round nine.
“I didn’t expect him to be that hard. I didn’t expect the fight to be that hard,” Tszyu told the crowd post-fight.
Tszyu claimed the WBO Intercontinental & IBF Australasian Super Welterweight titles with the win.
A rumoured fight against Michael Zerafa looked like it was next, however Code Sports today reported (subscription required) that hand surgery will be required so Tszyu will likely be on sidelines for the remainder of the year.
Meanwhile Zerafa’s grudge match against Tommy Browne ended in controversy, with Browne forced to withdraw with a bicep injury after just round one, which was dominated by Zerafa.
Browne’s trainer Tommy Mercuri didn’t take nicely to Zerafa mouthing off and entered the ring for a verbal exchange that took a turn for the worse as Michael Zerafa’s brother Jason-Manuel Zerafa came in and punched Browne’s trainer from the side.
The promotion confirmed that the younger brother was escorted from the venue and will be banned from all future No Limit events and he was also charged with one count of common assault.
“Police were patrolling a sporting event at a convention centre on Darling Drive, Sydney, when a 26-year-old man allegedly assaulted a 60-year-old man during the event,” the police statement read.
“Officers intervened and went to the assistance of the older man, who suffered minor injuries which did not require treatment.”
Earlier on the card Conor Wallace edged a split points decision against Jerome Pampellone while notably, the daughter of Muay Thai legend ‘John’ Wayne Parr, took her professional record to 5-0 with a decision over Pannaporn Kaewpawong.
- Nikita Tszyu def. Koen Mazoudier via TKO, Rd 9
- Michael Zerafa def. Tommy Browne via TKO, Rd 1
- Conor Wallace def. Jerome Pampellone via Decision (Split)
- Dharringarra Trewhella def. Calvin Jensen via Decision (Unanimous)
- Billy Polkinghorn def. Michael Reynolds via via Decision (Unanimous)
- Sonny Knight def. Laban Stringer via Decision (Split)
- Jasmine Parr def. Pannaporn Kaewpawong via Decision (Unanimous)
- Mounir Fathi def. Suitama Manuele via via TKO, Rd 2
- Mai Soliiman def. Connie Brown via Decision (Split)
