Beat a Tszyu and transform your career. His father Kostya, a two-time world champion and 2011 Hall of Fame inductee, led the way while older brother Tim won the WBO junior middleweight title in 2023 and remains relevant at world level.

Three years younger and more introspective than your average contender, Nikita (11-0, 9 KOs, 1 NC) was controversially denied a career-changing moment against Michael Zerafa in January but deems the experience a blessing in disguise.

Closing that chapter of his budding journey without a cathartic ending to an unsavory family rivalry could've frustrated him. The 28-year-old takes it in stride and that response suits him best before welcoming Oscar Diaz (16-0, 6 KOs) to Newcastle, Australia on May 6.

Diaz, rated No. 7 with the EBU for Milan Prat's European title, leaves Spain next week to box as the away fighter for the first time. He could've chosen a different route entirely, but spoke excitedly this week about being paired up against the iconic Tszyu name.

While he's studied some film in preparation, Nikita expects a hard fight but isn't worried about what the Spaniard possesses. He's more concerned about show the improvements he's made, justifying stirring anticipation at just how high his ceiling could prove to be.

American former world champion trio Tim Bradley, Shawn Porter and Paulie Malignaggi are among the fighters-turned-analysts who believe 'The Butcher' can become a household name.

Fox Sports Australia claim his team privately believe he'll be ready to contest world titles in three fights' time, roughly next summer given his timeline. The man himself isn't concerned with any outside noise.

"I know I'm highly rated with the IBF but that's not a true reflection of where I see myself," he told The Ring.

"I'd say I'm around top-30 in the world. Oscar is like the seventh [he is the eighth] unbeaten guy I will have faced, they're all coming to win and make a name for themselves.

"I want to be tested, show what I've been working on over the last two years, improvements to my arsenal."

He acknowledges the internal battle between 'resting, just doing nothing' at home with family and being the breadwinner in a sport he must psych himself up for. Becoming the aggressive, violent boxer ruining someone else's dreams is a sharp mindset shift and emotionally taxing, not something that can be taken lightly.

Too often boxers are inactive when fit and available to compete. Tszyu endured a year-long layoff and required surgery on a serious left-hand injury in October 2024, though crunched Macedonia's Lulzim Ismaili with it en route to a first-round finish last August.

Currently rated No. 6 by the IBF and No. 9 with the WBO in an ever-changing 154-pound division, more people are taking notice.

If the criticism of Nikita is borne from lacking competitive rounds recently, then he wants this fight to change that. March was too soon a return window after the Zerafa fallout, so early May was a suitable compromise as Newcastle Entertainment Centre plays host.

He's visibly improving with each fight, more defensively measured and patient while competition has moved from domestic to international levels.

European opposition can be hit-or-miss as a barometer of just how good someone is, but it's a step in the right direction. Diaz will look to back up his bullish words and Nikita is at peace knowing he's only scratching the surface of his potential.