Boxing 2026: Nikita Tszyu next fight opponent Roberto Valenzuela Jr, on David Benavidez card for US debut

Nikita Tszyu has finally been given an opponent for his hyped American debut — and it’s a tough Mexican rival who has thrown down against the likes of Xander Zayas and Bakhram Murtazaliev.

In a wonderful nod to his Hall of Fame father — who was once dubbed the ‘Mexicutioner’ — 28-year-old Nikita will begin his own fighting story Stateside with a showdown against Sonora slugger, Roberto Valenzuela Jr (32-6).

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It comes as Tszyu has also told Fox Sports Australia he wants to harness the “energy” and legacy of his old man on fight night, with the showdown set to take place inside Glendale, Arizona’s Desert Diamond Arena — the venue of Kostya Tszyu’s last professional win.

Speaking at a US press conference overnight to confirm the blockbuster David Benavidez card, Chris Mannix revealed ‘The Butcher’ is set to face Valenzuela Jr (32-6) in Arizona on Sunday December 6.

The fight forms part of a blockbuster few weeks that will also see older brother Tim Tszyu look to make history against WBA middleweight champ Erislandy Lara, while Liam Paro enters a huge unification showdown against American superstar Devin Haney.

And now Nikita has his opponent, too.

Better, ‘The Butcher’ will also fight inside the same arena where Kostya won for the last time in his incredible professional career.

On that particular night, The Thunder From Down Under dropped Sharmba Mitchell four times on his way to securing a brutal third round finish.

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“Which means a lot to me,” Nikita said this week.

“And I’m going to harness all the energy that I can from the arena.

“I mean, just being there and thinking ‘yeah, my dad was possibly in the same change room’ … I want to be able to tune into all that. Harness that energy. Find an inner strength from that legacy.”

Tszyu also stressed he was already comfortable knowing US media and fight fans will undeniably make reference to his father — and, of course, older brother — during his own fight build.

“I can’t deny where I came from,” Nikita stressed.

“Everything I have in this life has come from my dad. Come from the work that he’s put in.

“So there’s no need to try and run away from it.

“No need to try and create my own branch, or path.

“The only thing I can really do is try to complement the legacy that he’s started.

“Yes, I need to do things my way. I need to be my own person. But I also don’t see my story as an individual path.”

Famously, Kostya compiled a flawless five-nil record against Mexican boxers during his own professional career, highlighted by a dominant victory over legendary multi-division champion Julio César Chávez.

Now Nikita will make his own US debut against Valenzuela, who shapes as a tough test.

While the youngest of Australia’s fighting Tszyu brothers has been competing professionally for only four years, his Mexican rival’s career started way back in 2017.

Valenzuela has also amassed almost 40 fights compared to Tszyu’s dozen.

In 2022, Tszyu’s latest rival also went the distance in an eight-rounder against Murtazaliev – eventually losing on points against the man who brutally stopped Tim Tszyu on the way to defending IBF super welterweight gold.

Within two years, he then faced Zayas, but was stopped.

More recently however, Valenzuela has won six of seven fights, including a strong stoppage win over Francisco Villa in September.

Already, Tszyu has expressed his excitement at being able to fight on the undercard of Benavidez – aka The Mexican Monster – who defends cruiserweight gold against Michal Cieslak.

Then in the co-main, American Vergil Ortiz Jnr throw down against the legendary Keith Thurman.

“I’m excited to be making my US debut, and to be on a massive David Benavidez card is truly an honour,” Tszyu said. “He’s the most exciting fighter in the world — comes forward, hurts people and he never gives anyone an easy night.

“That’s the kind of fighting I respect. I also like to fight with that warrior mentality.”

No Limit boss George Rose has also stressed Americans are about to fall in love with his unbeaten star.

“This is the one,” Rose declared at a press event to announce the news. “We’ve been planning Nikita’s American debut for a long time and he’s earned it. Now he gets to do it on one of the biggest stages in world boxing.

“David Benavidez is a superstar. Add Vergil Ortiz Jr, Keith Thurman and Emiliano Vargas and this card is as stacked as it gets.

“Nikita belongs on a night like this and he’s going to prove it.

“Australian fight fans already know what Nikita brings. He’s aggressive, he’s explosive and he’s box office every time he steps through the ropes.

“To boxing fans in America and around the world watching, you’re about to fall in love with Nikita Tszyu.”