Nikita Tszyu’s performance “was as close to a chess match” that he could bring as he brushed aside Darkon Dryden to win his fourth professional fight via TKO at the end of round three.
It was an absolute clinic from Tszyu as he displayed his full arsenal of boxing skills both offensively and defensively throughout, skills that Dryden simply could not match.
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It was an onslaught from the first bell as Tszyu landed several blows that echoed around the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Dryden did his best to mount some form of offence, but it was to little avail as he simply couldn’t inflict any punishment on his rival who was in and out of space within a flash.
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Tszyu didn’t let up for a single second throughout the fight and eventually the beat down to Dryden’s body, head and mind became too much, with the hometown hero not making it off the stool for the fourth round, leaving Tszyu to celebrate wildly with his team in his most complete performance to date.
Speaking on the Main Event broadcast, commentator Ben Damon marvelled at the “brutal” beat down from Tszyu.
“He’s broken down his opponent with the most mature performance we’ve seen from him to date,” Damon said.
“He produced the full kit of punches. He boxed, but it was brutal. The butcher with another win, and he is absolutely loving it here in Tszyucastle.”
And Tszyu was delighted with what he was able to showcase in Tszyucastle.
“That was as close to a chess match as I bring,” Tszyu said.
“He brought the fire. Something inside me just had to match it. Didn’t expect him to be this tough, honestly. Got me with a few body shots. It was a great learning experience for me.”