Tszyu vs Ismaili Predictions: Nikita is his own man forging his own path

Nikita Tszyu takes on undefeated Macedonian boxer Lulzim Ismaili this Wednesday, August 20. ‘The Butcher’ is the son of the iconic Kostya Tszyu and younger brother of former world champion Tim Tszyu. He fights in the main event of an Australian pay-per-view also featuring world-ranked middleweight Michael Zerafa’s bout with Mikey Dahlman. The event emanates from the ICC Convention Centre in Sydney. No UK or American television coverage appears to be available.

Here are my Tszyu vs Ismaili predictions ahead of this super welterweight scrap.

Tszyu vs Ismaili Odds

Tszyu is the big favourite, with a price of 1/40 or 97.6% implied chance of victory. Ismaili is the long-shot at 14/1, which is new ground for the undefeated fighter. The draw is priced at 22/1.

Tszyu vs Ismaili Fight Preview

Tszyu is learning all about pressure. Headlining pay-per-view cards before you have beaten anyone of note is part and parcel of carrying around a famous name. Never mind the fact that last winter represented the first time Nikita had seen father Kostya, who resides primarily in Russia while his son lives in Australia, for 11 years. The exploits of the elder Tszyu, arguably the greatest super lightweight fighter of all-time, loom large.

At least Nikita has not had to carry the burden alone. Older brother Tim has had some tremendous highs and crushing lows in the boxing ring. A former world champion who has been in some enthralling bouts, Tim is now coming off three losses in his last four fights and a long road back to prominence.

But what you can say about Tim is that his father no longer dominates the narrative surrounding his legacy. His triumphs and tragedies are wholly his own. The famous name can give you a leg-up, but there are very few boxing progeny that do go on to leave a lasting memory beyond their surname. Tim is one of the few.

Nikita will be hoping to achieve similar, or perhaps even greater, success. So what do we know about the 10-0 Aussie with eight knockouts under his belt? Tszyu fights out of the southpaw stance, carrying his lead right hand low which clears space for a wicked straight left. The 27-year-old looks to close the distance with methodical footwork and a stalking presence.

It will be interesting to see Tszyu in with better opposition. His tendency to defend himself primarily through head movement rather than blocks or parries will be tested in better company. The kid is tough when he does get clipped. Jack Brubaker had Nikita’s eye swelling like post-Brexit grocery prices and Tszyu still stopped him in the fourth round.

It has been over a year since Tszyu last fought, with a serious hand injury requiring surgery that has kept him on the shelf. Any issue with a boxer’s tools of the trade has to be treated carefully, which is why Ismaili has been drafted in I imagine.

Ismaili’s 12-0 record is your classic “looks good on paper” ledger. The telltale signs are numerous and easy to spot if you’ve watched the sport for a while. The fact he has only fought once outside Macedonia or Germany, his birthplace and residence respectively. The complete lack of any fight above six rounds. The fact that six of his opponents, 50% of his record no less, have only won two fights between them. Not all records are created equal, and there is far more quality on Tszyu’s numerically-inferior 10-0 docket.

There is more quality in his work too, which accounts for the odds in his favour. Tszyu’s biggest battle on the night might be with his confidence in using the injured hand. If ‘The Butcher’ is fit and firing, he should walk this to set up a clash with co-headliner Zerafa before the end of the year.

Tszyu vs Ismaili Full Card

Nikita Tszyu vs Lulzim Ismaili

Michael Zerafa vs Mikey Dahlman

Ahmad Reda vs Bruno Tarimo

Brock Jarvis vs Sam Beck

Jasmine Parr vs Efasha Kamarudin

Jacob Clenshaw vs Isaias Sette

Brandon Grach vs TBA

Ashleigh Heal vs Shannon Rose 

Blair Geraghty vs Naki Saguba

Tszyu vs Ismaili Prediction

Barring the hand completely giving up on Tszyu, I cannot see a scenario in which he loses here. The Aussie hits harder and is growing into an adept pressure fighter. Ismaili is not the sort of boxer stylistically to answer the defensive questions around Tszyu. The favourite to win @ 1/40.

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