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‘Not OK’: Nikita Tszyu’s shock weight reveal may force world title twist amid bizarre ‘erection’ warning Nikita Tszyu has thrown a surprise twist into any potential blockbuster with IBF super welterweight champ Josh Kelly – conceding he couldn’t safely complete the required rehydration policy. Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, ‘The Butcher’ has also addressed growing talk of a Michael Zerafa rematch, while also warning outspoken American Tony Harrison how “he doesn’t want me taking him on with an erection …” Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Combined, the two Aussies are unbeaten in 31 fights – with Tszyu ranked at No.5 with the IBF, while Mahoney is at No.7. And given the top two spots on that same rankings list are currently vacant, No Limit has declared the all-Australian showcase a world title eliminator for Englishman Kelly. Speaking this week however, Tszyu revealed that just like old brother Tim, he isn’t a fan of the IBF’s contentious rehydration policy for championship bouts -- which involves fighters again stepping onto the scales on fight day, when they are unable to be more than 10 pounds (4.5kg) over the initial limit. ‘The Butcher’ said the only way he could compete safely under this ruling would be if he moves up a division to middleweight. As a result, the hyped southpaw said he wouldn’t do it at super welterweight. Back in 2024, Tim Tszyu also vowed he would never again compete for an IBF title after being brutally stopped by then champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. Speaking weeks later with reporters, Tim revealed he had been seriously compromised by having to not only weigh in twice before the fights, but also have no more than 10 pounds separating his two appearances on the scales. Asked this week why he was OK with the ruling that his brother has vowed to never compete under again, Nikita Tszyu surprisingly replied: “I’m not OK with it. “And I wouldn’t do it. “I could only do [the consecutive weigh-ins] if I fought at middleweight. But I couldn’t safely rehydrate at super welterweight.” Tszyu was then asked if watching his brother’s torturous preparation for Murtazaliev -- where he also wound up throwing the towel on fight night -- influenced his decision, the fighter replied “yeah, a little”. “But I also just don’t like the sound of it,” he continued. “I like to rehydrate comfortably. “After weighing in, I don’t want to then be thinking about a second one. “I want to be relaxed. “I want to drink as much water as I need and get the electrolytes back into me without the thought of doing another weigh-in the next day.” Asked exactly what all this means for his own world title push, and Tszyu – who is also ranked No.5 for WBO champ Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – couldn’t say for sure. “Look, I don’t know,” he conceded. “Eventually that would all be for my management to work out. “But from my point of view, I don’t feel comfortable with it. “If that particular ruling was enforced by all [four major] organisations then it would be a different story. “But it’s not. It’s only enforced by one. “If everyone enforced it, I’d have to move up a weight class. “And I’d be happy for that [rule] as a middleweight. But at the moment I’m at super welterweight so … I dunno.” Despite having turned professional only four years ago, Tszyu is suddenly one of the hottest names anywhere in Australian boxing. Now readying for what will effectively be his fourth fight in 12 months, the hyped Sydney southpaw is being linked to potential title fights against all three division champions – including Kelly, Ennis and WBC king Sebastian Fundora. Fundora, of course, also beat Tszyu’s big brother twice, making for an incredible build up. Back in April, UK promoter Eddie Hearn also opened up to Fox Sports Australia about the prospect of having ‘The Butcher’ face ‘Boots’ – suggesting he would even consider bringing Ennis Down Under to defend WBA and WBO gold. Elsewhere, there has also been suggestions the younger Tszyu sibling could instead face the No.1 IBF contender Brandon Adams, while Murtazaliev also sits above him in the IBF and WBO rankings. Only last week, former world champion Harrison also tossed his name into the mix, saying he would be keen to again throw down against Australia’s No.1 fight family after losing to Tim Tszyu in 2023. And on that last challenge in particular, Nikita has offered a wonderfully unique response. “Somebody sent me a clip where Tony said he’s going to give me a spanking,” the fighter grinned. “And I mean, c’mon Tony, don’t tempt me like that. He doesn’t want me coming at him with an erection …” But as for a Harrison fight being possible? “Obviously, anything is possible,” Tszyu continued. “Right now, I don’t want to think too far ahead of my next fight. But if the business side of things make sense, and I’ve made the correct progression first then anything is possible.” One fighter Tszyu won’t be facing however is Zerafa, who famously withdrew from a January domestic headliner in only the third round, claiming he couldn’t see. More recently, Australia’s longtime boxing bad boy has signed with Hearn’s Matchroom stable, and only last week stopped Venezuela’s Alejandro Ortiz on the Gold Coast. In the build up to that fight, Hearn suggested a rematch between his new client and Tszyu would be bigger than even their first fight. “And for Eddie, he’s signed Zerafa, so he’s trying to get the biggest fights for him,” Tszyu shrugged. “But that ship has sailed. “I’ve already come out publicly and said I’m not doing that fight again. I’ve moved on. And I have to be a man of my word and hold on to that.” Currently, there are several moving parts at the top of the super welterweight division. While Kelly and Ennis are being talked up for a unification bout later this year, Hearn has suggested Tszyu could be a potential title challenger for either man. “I really like Nikita Tszyu, think he’s an exciting fighter,” the UK promoter told us in April. “And he’s going to be putting himself into a position very soon to be challenging for a world title. “And maybe that’s Josh Kelly. “But don’t forget also that we’ve got Jaron Ennis … and I’d love to bring a big name American fighter over to Australia. So maybe that’s the fight with Nikita Tszyu, who knows?” There has also been talk of Nikita Tszyu making his US debut later this year, while Tszyu’s promoters have already spoken with Harrison about potentially again travelling Down Under for a fight. The former world champion, who once beat Jermell Charlo, has won consecutive fights since losing to Tszyu, and has also talked up the possibility of fighting Zerafa. “But if this fight with Mike Zerafa doesn’t work,” he said last week, “I will go finish what I started with Nikita. “And I think that’s another good fight. “I match up well with him. “I honestly think it’s too early for him. I think it’s a fight like they’re moving him a little too fast. “I’m too seasoned for him. “But he is a young buck and he’s full of testosterone.” And as for taking him on in Australia? “Listen, I don’t want to fight him anywhere else,” Harrison smiled. “This is like my second home. I’ve already got ‘mate’ down …”