Reigning champion Dylan Biggs has no plans on playing second fiddle to emerging superstar Nikita Tszyu when the former sparring partners settle a score in Newcastle.
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The two undefeated super-welterweights will joust for the Australian title on Wednesday night and Biggs is adamant Tszyu won't be stealing his thunder at the Convention Centre.
Biggs (10-0, 7KOs) says he won't stand for Tszyu (7-0, 6KOs) being the second man to enter the ring.
"They can pull the 'he's the pay-per-view star, he's the reason we're selling the card'. But as the belt holder, I walk out second," Biggs said on Thursday.
"I don't think Nikita Tszyu should have the opportunity just because of the name and the status to take that right away from me as the champion.
"It should be earned, not given."
The much-anticipated showdown takes place two years after Biggs "dropped" Tszyu in a sparring session in Queensland.
Tszyu insists he's a much more mature and meticulous fighter than he was then, when he was preparing for his first professional bout after eight years out of boxing to complete an architecture degree.
Even so, while bookmakers list Tszyu as a slight favourite in his quest to claim a belt his older brother and now world champion Tim once owned, they believe this will be the 25-year-old's biggest test yet.
"I know I can get it done and I know I will get it done," Biggs said.
"Definitely I wouldn't say bet all your money on me because I'm not a gambler, but if the odds are in my favour, then why not?"
Even his No Limit Boxing stablemate Issac Hardman, with due respect, is tipping a tough night at the office for Tszyu.
"I'm edging Dylan in this fight. He's a big super-middleweight," said Hardman, who will take on Troy Coleman on the undercard for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title.
"I said it would go one of two ways. Nikita is super explosive, fast, powerful. One to four rounds, I think he has to get the job done.
"And if not, I think Dylan's maturity will shine through. His length, his boxing IQ as well, and he'll get it done in the later rounds with a decision or something like that.
"Nikita has slowed down a little bit in some of his fights. He's been hurt a couple of times. I haven't seen Dylan hurt yet.
"But that's the beauty of boxing. Anything can happen."
Australian Associated Press
