This was published 2 years ago
Nikita Tszyu wore dark sunglasses to his press conference. He will wear a few war wounds after a torrid affair and will be better for the experience.
His manager said Tszyu would go for scans to check if he suffered a facial fracture, but the plan is to fight again this year.
What a terrific night of boxing.
Liam Wilson returned to the winner’s circle, while Tszyu-Brubaker lived up to expectations.
Nikita Tszyu now boasts a 7-0 record, but not before one hell of a fight.
This was an even bigger test than the one Ben Horn gave him. Tszyu momentarily hit the canvas after copping that headbutt and will have a very swollen cheek as a souvenir. He also copped a few blows, proving that he can take them as well as give them.
“I had to face adversity, copped a nice little headbutt and scored my first knock down,” he said.
“Jack can take a hit, I was hitting him with some pretty hard shots and he was walking back at me every time.
“For my first pay-per-view fight, it was the perfect test,” Tszyu said.
“He is such a tough fighter ... I can’t put into words how much I am enjoying this moment right now.”
Tszyu conceded he suffered some memory loss after the head clash and an ensuing right hand.
“That right hand afterwards, that rocked me, I can honestly say,” Tszyu said.
Enough is enough.
Brubaker has been too brave for his own good and his corner decided to halt proceedings.
Tszyu unleashed a flurry of blows, many of them connecting, and Brubaker’s corner did the right thing in looking after the health of their fighter.
Tszyu vowed to belt Brubaker into retirement and may done just that. However, the veteran earned plenty of respect from his opponent and the crowd.
Every time you think Brubaker has taken too much punishment and is about to go down, he comes back swinging.
Brubaker’s corner is working overtime on a bleeding coming from his eye after another crazy round. Tszyu said he wouldn’t stand and trade, but that is exactly what is happening. This is incredible stuff.
Both fighters showing enormous heart here.
Tszyu is dealing with the adversity of that horrible head clash, while Brubaker refuses to buckle. At one stage the underdog fell to the canvas while attempting a wild blow, but the judge ruled it a slip.
Tszyu is still landing the heavier blows, but Brubaker is also hitting the head and body. Already, Brubaker has lasted longer against Nikita than he did against Tim.