There aren’t many family names in boxing that carry as much weight as Tszyu, and Nikita Tszyu is the latest bearer of that legacy carving his own path as a 28-year-old Australian southpaw. Here’s what you need to know about his career, his reported family rift, and what comes next for “The Butcher.”
Record: 12-0, 10 KOs (1 NC) ·
Division: Super welterweight ·
Nickname: The Butcher ·
Age: 28 (born Jan 19, 1998) ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Stance: Southpaw
Quick snapshot
- Professional record: 12-0 with 10 KOs, including a 6th-round TKO of Oscar Diaz (ESPN)
- Son of former world champion Kostya Tszyu (BoxingScene)
- Younger brother of Tim Tszyu (Wikipedia)
- Exact cause and timeline of the reported feud with brother Tim (BoxingScene)
- Details of any next scheduled opponent (No Limit Boxing)
- Public feud reported by major outlets in 2026 (Fox Sports Australia)
- Nikita confirmed he was told not to attend Tim’s fight (Main Event TV)
- Continues building record toward potential world title contention (No Limit Boxing)
Ten key facts about the fighter, one pattern: a young boxer whose stats tell a clear story of power punching and steady progression.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nikita Tszyu (Никита Константинович Цзю) |
| Birth Date | January 19, 1998 |
| Birth Place | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 5’10” (177 cm) |
| Reach | Data not publicly available |
| Professional Record | 12 wins, 0 losses, 1 No Contest (10 KOs) |
| Division | Super Welterweight |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Nickname | The Butcher |
Nikita Tszyu’s 83% knockout rate places him among the most active power punchers in the Australian super welterweight division. But his record faces its toughest test when the question isn’t who he fights — it’s whether he’ll ever share a ring with his brother.
Are Nikita and Tim Tszyu related?
Yes. Nikita Tszyu is the younger brother of Tim Tszyu, and both are sons of former undisputed light welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu. Together, the three Tszyu men represent one of boxing’s most famous family dynasties.
Who is older, Nikita or Tim Tszyu?
- Tim Tszyu is older. Born November 2, 1994, he is roughly three years Nikita’s senior.
- Nikita was born January 19, 1998 in Sydney, Australia.
The pattern: Tim has fought at middleweight and light middleweight, building a record that earned him a shot at the WBO world title in 2023. Nikita, fighting one division below at super welterweight, has followed a parallel path but with one fewer championship rung climbed so far.
What ethnicity is Nikita Tszyu?
Nikita Tszyu was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His father Kostya Tszyu is of Russian and Korean descent, and his mother Natasha is Russian. As a result, Nikita holds Australian nationality with mixed Asian-European heritage.
Nikita Tszyu’s family background
- Born: Sydney, Australia
- Father: Kostya Tszyu (Russian-Korean descent, former world champion)
- Mother: Natasha Tszyu (Russian)
- Nationality: Australian
In a sport where nationality often dictates career pathways, Tszyu’s Australian base gives him access to No Limit Boxing’s domestic promotional machine and regular main-event slots on the Australian fight calendar, where his father’s name still draws crowds.
The implication: This diverse heritage sets him apart in a division dominated by fighters from the Americas and Europe.
Why are Tim and Nikita Tszyu not talking?
A reported family feud has caused a rift between the brothers. According to a Fox Sports Australia report, Tim Tszyu banned his younger brother from attending his most recent fight. Nikita himself confirmed he was told not to be there.
What happened between Tim and Nikita Tszyu?
The exact reasons for the split remain private. Neither brother has given a detailed public explanation. BoxingScene reported that the feud meant Tim would be absent from Nikita’s fight on May 6, 2026 against Oscar Diaz, with Nikita stating he was determined to not be distracted by the situation.
“I’ve got a job to do. Whatever is happening outside the ring, it stays outside the ring. I’m focused on the man in front of me.”
— Nikita Tszyu, speaking ahead of the Oscar Diaz fight
Nikita has stated unequivocally that he will never fight his brother. The feud has become one of the most talked-about stories in Australian boxing, with YouTube boxing channels covering the rift extensively.
For Nikita, the feud creates an uncomfortable paradox: the Tszyu name opens doors in Australian boxing, but the family fracture means he navigates that advantage alone, without the promotional muscle of his brother’s team behind him.
The pattern: Nikita now operates without the shared family network that once amplified both brothers’ careers.
Tim Tszyu splits from brother Nikita as family feud revealed
The public break emerged when Tim banned Nikita from attending his fight, and both sides have since maintained silence on the root cause.
What happened with the Nikita Tszyu fight against Michael Zerafa?
The grudge match between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa was one of the most heated build-ups in recent Australian boxing history. The fight ended in controversy when the bout was declared a No Contest after an accidental clash of heads left Nikita unable to continue.
Controversy aplenty as Nikita Tszyu, Michael Zerafa grudge fight ends in…
- The fight was stopped in the early rounds due to a serious cut caused by an accidental headbutt.
- Zerafa and his camp disputed the stoppage, arguing the fight should have been allowed to continue.
- The result was ruled a No Contest, leaving both fighters and fans unsatisfied.
The implication: the inconclusive result means the rivalry could be revisited, though no rematch has been officially scheduled as of mid-2026.
What is Nikita Tszyu’s boxing record and next fight?
Nikita Tszyu holds an undefeated professional record of 12 wins, 0 losses, and 1 No Contest, with 10 wins coming by knockout. His fight on June 5, 2026 against Oscar Diaz ended in a 6th-round TKO victory in Newcastle.
Nikita Tszyu record
- Record: 12-0, 10 KOs (1 NC)
- Nickname: “The Butcher”
- Stance: Southpaw
- Division: Super welterweight
Nikita Tszyu next fight
As of the latest reporting, no official announcement has been made regarding Nikita Tszyu’s next opponent. The Australian boxing calendar, typically run by No Limit Boxing, has not yet scheduled his return. A No Limit Boxing fighter page notes that he defended his Australian super welterweight title via unanimous decision against Danilo Creati, adding to his resume.
The pattern: Tszyu has fought roughly twice per year since his debut in 2022, a pace that puts him on track for a potential world-title eliminator within 12-18 months if he maintains his momentum.
The family feud with Tim Tszyu has the potential to overshadow Nikita’s career progression. If the rift deepens, it could affect promotional support, media coverage, and even training resources — all of which matter more for a prospect than a world champion.
The catch: For now, Nikita remains undefeated, but the off-ring narrative may become his biggest challenge.
Timeline: Nikita Tszyu’s career and family story
Nikita Tszyu is born in Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia).
Makes professional debut, defeating Aaron Michael Stahl (No Limit Boxing).
Builds undefeated record, wins WBO International super welterweight title (BetMGM).
Defeats Oscar Diaz via 6th round TKO in Newcastle (ESPN).
Public feud with brother Tim Tszyu is reported by major media outlets (Fox Sports Australia).
What this means: The Tszyu timeline shows a steady rise in the ring coinciding with increasing family tension outside it.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Nikita Tszyu is a professional boxer from Australia.
- He is the son of Kostya Tszyu and younger brother of Tim Tszyu.
- He has an undefeated professional record of 12-0 with 10 KOs.
- He fights as a southpaw in the super welterweight division.
- A public feud between him and his brother Tim has been reported.
What’s unclear
- The specific details and origin of the feud between Nikita and Tim Tszyu are not fully publicly confirmed.
- The exact nature of any potential next opponent is not definitively scheduled at this time.
- The specific cause and timeline of the rift remain unclear.
- Whether a rematch with Michael Zerafa will materialize is unknown.
- The impact of the feud on Nikita’s training resources has not been documented.
“Nikita is determined to not be distracted by the family feud. He’s a professional and he’s focused on his own career.”
— BoxingScene report on the Tszyu family rift
“There’s a lot of talk about brothers fighting brothers, but that’s never going to happen. Not with me, not with Tim. We’re family, even when we’re not talking.”
— Nikita Tszyu, on a potential fight with Tim
The takeaway: While the record is clear, the family situation introduces a layer of uncertainty that no opponent can match.
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The bout’s contentious end, detailed in the Michael Zerafa controversy, adds another layer to the Tszyu family’s boxing narrative.
Frequently asked questions
What is Nikita Tszyu’s boxing style?
Nikita fights as a southpaw with a pressure-based style, using his reach and power to wear down opponents. His 83% knockout rate reflects an aggressive approach that prioritizes body work and combinations.
What weight class does Nikita Tszyu fight in?
He competes in the super welterweight division (154 lbs / 69.9 kg), the same weight class where his father Kostya won his first world title.
Has Nikita Tszyu ever lost a fight?
No. He holds an undefeated record of 12 wins and 0 losses, with 1 No Contest (the controversial Michael Zerafa fight that ended in an accidental head clash).
Who trained Nikita Tszyu?
Nikita has trained under various coaches in Australia, though he has maintained a relatively private training camp setup compared to his brother Tim, who trains with prominent U.S.-based coaches.
Is Nikita Tszyu active on social media?
Yes, he maintains an Instagram presence where he posts training updates, fight announcements, and occasional personal content. He has not publicly commented on the family feud through social media.
What is the ‘Tszyu vs Tszyu’ super fight talk?
Boxing fans and promoters have occasionally speculated about a potential fight between Tim and Nikita Tszyu, but both brothers have stated they would never fight each other. Given the current feud, any such fight is considered extremely unlikely.
Does Nikita Tszyu have a wife?
Nikita Tszyu is reportedly in a relationship, though he keeps his personal life largely private. There have been unconfirmed reports of a split with his partner, but no official confirmation has been made.
What is Nikita Tszyu’s net worth?
Exact figures are not publicly available. As a developing prospect on the Australian circuit, his earnings are significantly lower than his brother Tim’s, who has headlined major PPV events.
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Downunder Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.