Legendary boxing trainer Johnny Lewis has urged Nikita Tszyu to “play chess'” against Darkon Dryden on Saturday as part of an all-day boxing festival at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Tszyu is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Ben Horn, brother of Jeff, in a fight most boxing insiders expected him to dominate. Instead he was rocked numerous times and pushed the distance. Some would argue Tszyu showed Horn a lack of respect by keeping his head up and trading shots with his opponent.
Tszyu had to overcome ear surgery in the days leading up to the fight and admitted he wasn’t in the best condition for the bout but didn’t want to take anything away from Horn.
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Days out from Tszyu’s fight with Dryden, Lewis told The Sydney Morning Herald, the young star needs a different approach for this fight.
“You hope they learn each fight and I’m sure he learnt a lot from that one,” Lewis said.
“He didn’t lose it but there was a moment there where he was a little bit worried.
“The truth of the matter is he won the fight well and I think he learnt a lot from that.
“Not even the good punchers can [end all fights quickly].
“They need to find an opening for a good shot, you’ve got to play chess.
“That’s one thing he would have learnt. I still look at him as a puncher and will get back on course in due time.
“If the knockout presents itself, I’m sure he will do that.”
The Tszyu-Darken bout will be on a card with 20 fights over 10 hours, with the likes of Dennis Hogan and Sam Eggington duking it out for the IBO super welterweight title, Sam Goodman putting his undefeated record on the line against Jason Cooper and Paulo Aokuso taking on Faris Chevalier.
When is the Super Saturday Boxing Festival?
The event which will see 20 fights over 10 hours will take place on Saturday, October 8. No Limit was planning an outdoor event with food trucks, live music and the boxing but with the weather forecast to be wet, they’ve moved it indoors.
How to watch the Super Saturday Boxing Festival?
The event will be on Fox Sports and Main Event.
You’ll be able to watch the undercard bouts on Fox Sports from 4pm. while the pay-per-view part of the card can be purchased through Main Event for $59.95, which will start around 7pm.
Super Saturday Boxing Festival tickets
Tickets to the event are available to purchase now through Ticketek, starting from $49.
How many fights are on Super Saturday?
There will be 20 fights on over 10 hours
Nikita Tszyu vs Darkon Dryden fight odds
Nikita Tszyu $1.11
Darkon Dryden $8
Draw – $29
Sam Eggington vs Dennis Hogan fight odds
Dennis Hogan $2.25
Sam Eggington $1.77
Draw $18
FULL FIGHT CARD
Main Card
Dennis Hogan vs. Sam Eggington
Nikita Tzyu vs. Darkon Dryden
Sam Goodman vs. Jason Cooper
Paul Aokuso vs Faris Chevalier
Lachie Higgins vs. Cody Beeken
Darragh Foley vs. Blake Minto
Shanell Dargan vs. Ayisha Abied
Prelims
Jayde Mitchell vs. Mark Lucas
Ella Boot vs. Zoe Putorak
Tywarna Campbell vs. Jessica Adams
Richie Fa’aoso vs. Louis Marsters
Amber Amelia vs. Danni Mace
Ashleigh Sims vs. Sarah Watt
Early prelims
David Light vs. Vikas Singh
Bailey Mannix vs. Dan Murray
Antonia Talivaa vs. George Peterson
Jason Fawcett vs. Jayden Riddle
Tylisha Turner vs. Brianna Harrison
Bryce Jones vs. Hector Tapueluelu
Jack Tressider vs. Dan Harwood
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