The spotlight was on the undefeated junior middleweight Nikita Tszyu (7-0, 6 KOs), son of the legendary former unified light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, as he squared off against the battle-hardened Jack Brubaker (17-5-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round fight.
The early rounds were filled with suspense as the 31-year-old Brubaker took the fight to the younger Tszyu. In a surprising turn of events, the experienced Aussie managed to send the 25-year-old prospect crashing to the canvas in the third round with a thunderous right hand. Stunned but not broken, a visibly shaken Tszyu found himself rocked by another powerful blow from Brubaker, barely escaping the round on his feet.
Despite the damage, including visible swelling to his right cheek, Tszyu managed to regroup. Brubaker’s initial assualt began to wane, his energy levels decreasing as the match entered the middle rounds. This opened a window for Tszyu to turn the tide, and he capitalized, connecting with potent left-handed strikes to Brubaker’s head during the fourth and fifth rounds.
By the time the sixth round arrived, Brubaker was a shadow of his own, his defenses torn down by exhaustion. Tszyu seized the opportunity and launched an all-out assault, bombarding his opponent with a relentless barrage of punches. Recognizing the dire situation, Brubaker’s corner made the wise decision to call an end to the one-sided contest, surrendering by throwing in the white towel.
The bout was officially halted at 2:40 of the sixth round by Referee Brad Vocale, giving Tszyu a hard-fought and well-earned victory. His performance displayed a strong left hand, resilience, and a predatory instinct to finish. However, it also revealed some weaknesses, particularly in his defense, and the lack of power in his right hand.
While Tszyu’s triumph was impressive, it underscored the need for further refinement in his boxing skills. Facing a seasoned opponent like Brubaker exposed his vulnerabilities, reminding all that there’s room for growth if he is to challenge the elite fighters in the junior middleweight class.
In other action of the evening, super featherweight slugger Liam Wilson (12-2, 7 KOs) regained his momentum with a unanimous decision win over Carlos Maria Alanis (12-1, 4 KO), highlighted by a seventh-round knockdown. The judges were in harmony, scoring the bout 100-89, 100-89, and 98-91 in Wilson’s favor.
Nikita Tszyu’s victory, though commendable, revealed that the path to emulating his famous father’s success would be demanding. His shorter amateur career and time spent away from the ring for education add complexity to his development. However, his youth, determination, and untapped potential signify an exciting future in the 154-lb division.