Nikita Tszyu could be forced into a long wait in his dressing room should Dylan Biggs stick solid with his promise to walk out last, amid an ongoing dispute between camps ahead of Wednesday night’s blockbuster fight.
While promoters No Limit are pushing to break from boxing tradition and have Tszyu, as the undeniable A side, walk last, Team Biggs are refusing to budge – and have hinted they will gladly wager a ‘stand off’ if required.
Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech is one figure who believes it must be Biggs who walks last, such is the tradition for champions.
“If I’m being honest, I don’t care what you are or who you are, it’s alwas the champion that’s supposed to walk out last,” Fenech told Wide World of Sports.
“Should they change it? No they shouldn’t. Just go and win the title and then you’ll be a champion and come out last. You earn that.
“Biggs has earned that. He fought for the Australian title and won so it should be him.”
American boxing great Shawn Porter — who will feature as part of Main Event’s coverage — also urged the champ to stick to his guns, despite No Limit CEO George Rose having already stated that Wednesday night’s showdown “is the Nikita Tszyu show”.
So Tszyu shouldn’t go last then?
“Nah, that’s not gunna happen,” Porter insisted.
BOXING: Nikita Tszyu v Dylan Biggs WED 22nd NOV 7PM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports
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“The champion walking last is part of boxing religion.
“And Dylan should make a fuss about it.
“He should be walking second.
“Although I’m absolutely not surprised by any of this.
“It’s the job of No Limit to get into Dylan’s head.
“And Nikita should do that as well.
“It makes all the sense in the world.
“But I think on fight night Dylan will end up walking second, and he should”.
Follow below for the all the build-up and live action from tonight’s event, which will be be broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo from 6pm AEDT, and Main Event from 7pm AEDT.
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FULL FIGHT CARD
Nikita Tszyu v Dylan Biggs — for Australian super welterweight title
Issac Hardman v Troy Coleman — for WBO intercontinental middleweight title
Liam Talivaa v Brandon Grach — heavyweight
Mounir Fathi v Joel Pavlides — middleweight:
Jason Fawcett v Jordan Martin — super welterweight
Brent Walton v Dharringarra Trewhella — welterweight
Amber Amelia v Natasha Kurene — super bantamweight
Mark Schleibs def Shamal Ram Anuj via KO in Round 5
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