Novocastrian Darkon Dryden will embrace the chance to upset rising super welterweight Nikita Tszyu on his “home turf” in six weeks’ time.
The unbeaten local pugilist, who boasts a 4-0 (4 KO) winning record, has been plucked out of anonymity to face off with the son of Hall of Fame legend Kostya and brother of Tim over six rounds.
The pair will also be among the headline acts, on a historic occasion at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Saturday 8 October, with a packed house of more than 5,000 expected for a first of its kind event, organised by No Limit Boxing.
Twenty bouts – including an IBO title clash between Dennis Hogan (30-4-1) and Sam Eggington (32-7) – are scheduled to take place at the precinct across 10 hours, with food trucks, beer gardens, big screen TVs and music adding to the extravaganza’s atmosphere.
“When you’ve got this much talent on offer here in Australia, why not put everyone on the same day,” promoter George Rose said.
“It’s that time of the year when the footy season has just finished up, the Repco Bathurst 1000 is around the corner, and you’ve got that little [sporting] itch you need to scratch.
“It is going to be a great day for everyone who attends the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.”
The father – and coach – of the man known as “Dynamite”, Joe Dryden, said his young charge was “ready to go”.
“Darkon is as keen as mustard,” he told the Newcastle Weekly at the Queens Wharf Hotel on Tuesday morning.
“He signed on for this fight within two days of being contacted by Nikita’s team.
“It’s good for us.
“It is not only a huge opportunity, but it also puts us in the spotlight.
“We’re a fighting family; it’s part of our blood.
“So, he’ll train hard over the next month-and-a-half to ready himself.
“But, Darkon is not getting too ahead of himself either, he will just take it as it comes.
“At the moment, his focus is solely on this fight.”
Tszyu, who belted rival Mason Smith into submission at the same venue in May, admitted he had a couple of surprises for the Newcastle hope.
“I’ve been working on a few different things, I can’t say too much,” he said.
“He thinks that we’re going to be trading, so let him think that we’re trading.
“However, I have my own game plan for this one.”
