Nikita Tszyu is to fight Oscar Diaz of Spain at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, Australia on May 6.

The Australian endured his catchweight contest with Michael Zerafa in January concluding in the most controversial of no contests when a cut suffered by Zerafa following an accidental clash of heads led to him insisting that he could no longer see.

Tszyu-Zerafa represented the highest-profile occasion of his 12-fight career. The contest with the undefeated Diaz, 25, represents a step down in both profile and class.

“I love Newcastle,” the 28 year old said. “The arena has a special feeling to it, and every time I’ve fought here, the energy has been different. It feels like home.

“We’re breaking into the world stage now, taking on an international opponent, and we’re at the point where we need more experience. There’s a lot of attention around me, but not enough experience yet, so we need to lift that.

“I know enough about Diaz to understand how I need to approach the fight and what I need to do to win. The Newcastle crowd is always rowdy. There’s some kind of energy that flows through here. It feels pure Australian out here, and I love that.”

Tszyu’s promoters No Limit, who so recently oversaw his older brother Tim’s victory over Denis Nurja, said of the junior welterweight Nikita and Diaz’s first date of 17 outside of his home country: “Nikita is one of the fastest-rising names in Australian boxing and every time he fights, he keeps forcing his way higher up the world rankings. He’s unbeaten, he’s exciting, he’s dangerous and this is another huge chance for him to keep building towards the biggest fights in the division.

“There’s no question the Zerafa fight left a bad taste. It ended in controversy, it ended in frustration and it denied Nikita the type of statement he was ready to make. That’s why this return is so exciting. He’s hungry, he’s motivated and he wants to remind everyone exactly who he is.

“And to bring him back to Newcastle makes this even better. He’s already had some huge moments there and everyone remembers the Dylan Biggs fight, when he got off the canvas and showed exactly what he’s made of to win the Australian title. That was a massive moment in his rise and it’s one of the reasons Newcastle has become such an important city in Nikita’s story.”

Nikita Tszyu vs. Oscar Diaz

Nikita Tszyu Defeats Oscar DiazTKO In Round 6

Nikita Tszyu dominates brave Oscar Diaz, who is rescued after six

Ritualistic: Nikita Tszyu has shaved his head and is ready for Oscar Diaz

Oscar Diaz sees launchpad in upsetting Nikita Tszyu

TV picks for May 6-10: Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois in potential slugfest

Nikita Tszyu determined to not be distracted by family feud

Nikita Tszyu’s opponent Oscar Diaz targeting Tim Tszyu after younger brother

Nikita Tszyu returns from Michael Zerafa controversy against Oscar Diaz

Nikita Tszyu tells Michael Zerafa to retire after ‘moving on’

Paulie Malignaggi’s Picks: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa rematch can work

Michael Zerafa apologizes after cut controversy: ‘What I said was wrong’

Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa: The week that was

‘I wasn’t concerned’: Michael Zerafa’s cut man expected Nikita Tszyu fight to continue

Nikita Tszyu joins ‘quit’ chorus ringing in Michael Zerafa’s ears

Blinded: Michael Zerafa booed and accused of ‘quitting’ against Nikita Tszyu

Clinical Liam Wilson stops Rodex Piala to stay on Emmanuel Navarrete’s heels

Unburdened: Nikita Tszyu moves effortlessly on the eve of his biggest fight

Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa Fight Week Diary: Day Two

Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa Fight Week Diary: Day One

Michael Zerafa expects violence against ‘hungry’ Nikita Tszyu

Nikita Tszyu hasn’t forgotten Michael Zerafa’s ‘Micky Hatton’ low blow

Nikita Tszyu Defeats Oscar Diaz
TKO In Round 6