Nikita Tszyu stopped Oscar Diaz in Newcastle, but a late knockdown sparked accusations of dirty tactics.
Nikita Tszyu’s path toward a world-title shot hit a dramatic snag in Newcastle after a late stoppage win over Oscar Diaz was marred by controversy.
The unbeaten Australian extended his record to 13-0 with a sixth-round finish in their super-welterweight showdown. delivering the type of statement performance that puts him within range of a future world-title opportunity.. Yet the attention quickly shifted to the final knockdown. when Tszyu landed punches as Diaz appeared to be down on one knee. prompting fury from Diaz’s corner.
Misryoum reports that Tszyu could have faced disqualification, though he was not. After the bout, he apologized, and the controversy focused on whether the shots were thrown after Diaz had effectively gone into a vulnerable position on the canvas.
Even with the apology, the incident matters because it risks turning a marquee step forward into a debating point for officials and fans alike, potentially shaping how Tszyu’s next fight is perceived.
On the scorecards of fight night, Tszyu looked decisive from the opening bell.. He pressed the Spaniard early. then sent Diaz down in the second round. continuing to pile on pressure through the middle stages.. Diaz. nicknamed “El Toro. ” weathered the assault with composure. even smiling through exchanges. but his resistance eventually ran out when Tszyu unleashed a decisive left-right sequence in round six.
That ending brings more than momentum. For a fighter already working toward a title shot, finishing an opponent with authority while staying unbeaten is the kind of result that can accelerate a ranking climb and intensify calls for the biggest names in the division.
Meanwhile, in Wednesday night’s undercard, Rahim Mundine kept his own undefeated run intact with a unanimous decision over Lance McDonald. Misryoum notes that the fight took place over five rounds and ended with Mundine receiving the nod from the judges, maintaining his clean professional record.
Still, Mundine’s night was also accompanied by noise from the crowd, reflecting the constant comparisons he faces in a boxing-mad country. In the post-fight atmosphere, he addressed the pressure of living in the shadow of his father, even as the result itself stayed firmly on his side.
In the end. Tszyu got the win he wanted. and he did it in convincing fashion. but the controversy ensures the story will travel further than the stoppage.. The question now is whether the apology and explanations will be enough to quiet the debate around his conduct. or whether it becomes the defining talking point as he moves closer to the sport’s highest level.