Nikita Tszyu vs Oscar Diaz

I think it’s fair to say that Oscar Diaz probably hasn’t faced the kind of quality opposition that Nikita Tszyu has, although it is decent Australian domestic-level opposition, nothing more than that. I think the level of opposition faced, plus home advantage, means Tszyu has to be favoured to win. 

Tszyu already has an 83% knockout ratio, so I think it’s fair to say that, although Diaz has never been beaten, let alone stopped, this may be the occasion when he suffers his first stoppage defeat. 

Those with a better chance against the 28-year-old from Sydney are those with heavy hands, as he has, but Diaz has only six stoppage wins in 16 fights and appears to rely more on his boxing or high output than on his power, which I suspect is why Tszyu’s handlers have picked him.

Unless Diaz has special talents that have remained under the surface, and we are all in for a big surprise, I feel that this will be an early to mid-round stoppage win for Tszyu.