Newcastle boxer Darkon Dryden calls himself “Dynamite” and likes wearing a Hannibal Lecter-inspired mask.
And on Sunday week there’s sure to be fireworks and gore when he steps into the ring with rising star Nikita Tszyu at Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Tszyu goes by “The Butcher” and between the pair there is no lack of punching power.
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They’ve had seven professional fights collectively – four for Dryden and three for Tszyu – six of which have been decided by knockout.
Neither has lost a bout to date. But that’s about to end for one of them.
“I’ve always been interested in fighting Nikita Tszyu because he’s the big hype train right now and I plan to derail it to be honest,” Dryden told No Limit Boxing.
“He’s a great fighter but I’m fighting a boy, I’m not fighting his name. He’s just another bloke with three fights.
“They talk about the name (Tszyu) but I don’t really care about the name. He’s just a boy in my eyes.
“He’s been on the radar as he said that I’ve been on his. It got offered and I took (the fight) within two days. Apparently no one else would fight him so I got the first class ticket.”
Tszyu is the son of legendary Australian pugilist Kostya and the younger brother of undefeated world title-hunting Tim.
But the 24-year-old is earning a reputation in his own right, having demolished his first two opponents in brutal fashion, then beating a tough Ben Horn via unanimous decision in July.
Newcastle has been dubbed Tszyucastle when any member of the family performs there, as all three have done.
But Dryden isn’t going to let Nikita rule the roost in his own backyard.
“It’s my hometown and I’m here to defend the kingdom. The pressure’s on him to keep the name going because if I beat him here it stops and where does he go from there?” Dryden said.
“They took it (Tszyucastle) from Tim who’s actually done some things. (Nikita) hasn’t done anything yet and so he’s got to prove it on October 8.
“When he asked for stuff (growing up) he got given it and I had to go take it, or get told no, or find another way to get what I needed. That’s what I’m doing on October 8.
“I think once we get in the trenches in the middle of the fight, I’ll out-work him.”
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A look back at every fight to date from Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu
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