The boxing world already knew of Nikita Tszyu’s love of blood.
And after Tim Tszyu’s younger brother clinched a TKO victory over Bo Belbin at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, it can be said the rising star also loves having a bung eye.
Nikita’s right eye began closing up when he copped a thumping hit in the Qudos Bank Arena fight, but he thrived despite the injury, knocking Belbin down in the fourth round then delivering a barrage of punches.
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The referee called the fight one minute and 46 seconds into the fourth round.
Nikita spoke with a grin when asked about his eye after the fight.
“Honestly, I’m actually happy that it happened because now I know what it feels like to have your eye kind of slowly shutting and that distorted perspective, being in a fight and kind of losing your vision,” Nikita said.
“It’s a good experience.”
The emphatic victory took Nikita’s professional boxing record to 5-0 (four knockouts).
Nikita and Tim crossed paths in the bowels of Qudos Bank Arena moments after Nikita’s win, with his brother strolling into the venue with his girlfriend ahead of his world title fight against the USA’s Tony Harrison.
Nikita had a quick word with him.
“I said to him, ‘The main meal is coming’,” Nikita said.
“He’s thrilled. He’s so zoned in. I spent the whole day with him (on Saturday) refuelling, rehydrating. He’s in a comfortable head space.”
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A look back at every fight to date from Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu
