Nikita Tszyu has claimed the Australian super welterweight title thanks to a dramatic round five stoppage of Dylan Biggs in Newcastle on Wednesday night.
The battle of two unbeaten rising stars lived up to the billing and 21-year-old Biggs can hold his head high despite the loss.
Queensland's Biggs had dropped Tszyu with a right hand early in the opening round, kicking off an all-action brawl.
Tszyu rallied to hurt Biggs later in the first round and get the crowd on its feet.
In the fourth, Tszyu nailed Biggs with an uppercut and had him hanging on for the final two minutes of the round.
Late in the fifth round, Tszyu landed a left upstairs and followed up with a body shot shortly after, sending Biggs to a knee in agony.
The defending champion bravely fought back to his feet but referee John Cauchi stepped in moments later as the Tszyu onslaught continued.
In the co-main event, Issac Hardman claimed a round five knockout victory of his own, brutalising Troy Coleman along the way.
It was a card filled with plenty of highlights and featured two potential knockout of the year contenders, courtesy of Brandon Grach and Mark Schleibs.
Here's how it played out:
Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs results, highlights
Round 5: It's over! Biggs actually came out fairly strongly but Tszyu broke him down late in the round. A left hand rocked Biggs badly before a body shot sent him to a knee. The Queenslander tried to hang on but was stopped shortly before the end of the round.
Round 4: A huge round for Tszyu! The southpaw hurt Biggs badly with an uppercut and poured on the pressure for about two minutes. Biggs stayed on his feet but was in desperate trouble at times. Has Tszyu emptied the gas tank?
38-37 Tszyu
Round 3: Tszyu's rear hand becomes more of a factor in the third as he lands several head shots to open up. Biggs is taking the power well and going to the body with his right. A frenetic pace through the opening three rounds.
28-28
Round 2: Great comeback round for Tszyu who finds success with his lead hand early on, jabbing and hooking. Biggs has some moments but knows he's in for a fight.
19-18 Biggs
Round 1: What a round! Biggs drops Tszyu with two big right hands in the opening moments. Tszyu slowly finds his feet and then lands some heat of his own to have Biggs hurt late in the round.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-8 Biggs
10 p.m.: The main event is upon us!
Follow along with our unofficial scorecard for the main event.
Issac Hardman brutalises Troy Coleman in KO win
The Headsplitter was at his aggressive best when stopping Englishman Troy Coleman early in the fifth round of their middleweight clash.
There was a clear power difference between the two and Hardman's pressure, and right hand, had Coleman in trouble at the end of the fourth round.
The Queenslander picked up where he left off in the fifth, landing several big shots before referee Will Soulos stepped in and waved it off.
Brandon Grach lands KO of the year contender on Liam Talivaa
Liam Talivaa tasted defeat for the first time in his career courtesy of a savage knockout by Brandon Grach.
Another Newcastle product, Grach got the crowd on its feet when he floored Talivaa with a monstrous left hook early in the second round.
Both heavyweights came to fight from the opening bell and Grach found himself on the canvas in the opening round but got up drop Talivaa moments later.
The fight made it to the second round, just, as Grach landed the final blow in the opening moments.
Talivaa was flat on his back for several minutes following the shot but fortunately he was eventually able to make it out of the ring under his own steam.
Gutsy Joel Pavlides hands Mounir Fathi first loss
A relentless Joel Pavlides did enough to get by the previously unbeaten Mounir Fathi in an entertaining middleweight contest.
Fathi started brightly and had Pavlides hurt with a right hand in the first and landed some solid bodywork in the second but Pavlides was able to weather the storm and eventually create enough offence to take unanimous decision (58-56 x3).
Jason Fawcett overcomes knockdown to defeat Jordan Martin
Jason Fawcett, who walked out with Newcastle Knights star Bradman Best in his entourage, recorded a unanimous decision win over over Jordan Martin (48-46 x3).
The Central Coast product controlled the majority of the fight although did find himself on the canvas at one point.
Fawcett was successfully able to counter Martin's reach advantage, regularly finding the target as he moved into range.
Dharringarra Trewhella defeats Brent Walton in professional debut brawl
Dharringarra Trewhella announced himself to the professional ranks with an extremely impressive debut win over Newcastle's Brent Walton.
Trewhella, who's uncle, Anthony Mundine, was ringside, showcased his slick boxing skills as well as plenty power, briefly dropping Walton in the first round and stunning him on several other occasions.
To Walton's credit, he kept on the gas all four rounds but Trewhella's movement and counters proved too much as he claimed a unanimous decision win (39-38, 39-37, 38-37).
After the fight, No Limit boss George Rose awarded both fighters a $5000 bonus for their efforts in what was an all-action affair.
Natasha Kurene outpoints Amber Amelia
Local hope Amber Amelia was giving away nearly a foot of height and reach to Natasha Kurene and it proved too much to overcome in the end.
Kurene was able to successfully keep Amelia at bay with the jab to cruise to comfortable unanimous decision victory (59-55 x2, 58-56).
Mark Schleibs lands massive KO on Shamal Ram Anuj
The Magic Man has got back in the winners' circle with a stunning fifth-round knockout of Shamal Ram Anuj in the opener.
Schleibs had been boxing nicely and was well on his way to victory when he landed a bomb of a left hook to drop his Fijian opponent and end the fight.
In the changeroom after the bout, Schleibs, who has been unable to see his son for nine months, was overcome with emotion as he shared his pain over the situation.
What time is Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs today?
Tszyu and Biggs will be throwing down at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in New South Wales.
The first fight is set to begin at 6 p.m. AEDT, before the main pay-per-view card starts at 7 p.m. AEDT.
Tszyu and Biggs should make their way to the ring around 10 p.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
| City/Location | Sydney/ Melbourne/ Hobart | Adelaide | Brisbane | Darwin | Perth |
| First fight | 6 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 3 p.m. |
| Main card | 7 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. | 6 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 4 p.m. |
| Main event (approx.) | 10 p.m. | 9:30 p.m. | 9 p.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 7 p.m. |
How to watch Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs
The Tszyu vs. Biggs fight card will be available live on Fox Sports, Main Event, and Kayo.
Foxtel subscribers can purchase the pay-per-view portion of the night through Main Event, with Kayo users able to purchase Tszyu vs. Biggs through the app.
| TV Channel | Fox Sports Main Event |
| Streaming |
Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs price: How much does the fight cost?
Tszyu vs. Biggs will cost an additional $59.95 on Main Event via Kayo Sports or Foxtel. You do not need a Kayo Sports subscription to buy the Pay-per-view.
WATCH: Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs, live on Kayo
Betting odds for Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs
According to Unibet, Tszyu is the $1.34 favourite to come away with the win, while Biggs is considered the underdog at $3.30.
MORE: How to bet on combat sports
Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs fight card
Bouts and order subject to change.
- Nikita Tszyu vs. Dylan Biggs for the Australia super welterweight title
- Issac Hardman vs. Troy Coleman; middleweight
- Liam Talivaa vs. Brandon Grach; heavyweight
- Mounir Fathi vs. Joel Pavlides; middleweight
- Jason Fawcett vs. Jordan Martin; super welterweight
- Brent Walton vs. Dharringarra Trewhella; welterweight
- Amber Amelia vs. Natasha Kurene; super bantamweight
- Mark Schleibs vs. Shamal Ram Anuj; 54kg catchweight
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