By - AAPNEWS
Emerging star Nikita Tszyu has maintained his unbeaten professional boxing record with an emphatic TKO victory over fellow Australian Bo Belbin.
On a mammoth day for the Tszyu family, the 26-year-old floored Belbin early in the fourth round with a heavy left before the referee stopped the fight half a minute later following another flurry of head shots from the so-called "Butcher".
Belbin was already sporting a bloodied nose and nasty cut under his left eye after copping a battering in round three.
Having already taken down former WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn, Tszyu stopped short of calling this his best win yet.
But he was mightily satisfied at snapping Belbin's own unbeaten record in the Tasmanian's eighth fight.
"I'm proud of it. I stayed composed during some tough times in that fight," he said.
"He caught me early but I stuck to my game plan. We're like brothers in a way - with the same mindset - and I truly respect him."
Tszyu's latest super-welterweight victory improved his record to 5-0, with four knockouts.
Sunday's bout at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena marks the first time Tszyu and his superstar brother Tim have fought on the same card.
Tim is taking on American Tony Harrison for the interim WBO super-welterweight title, hoping to join his legendary father Kostya as a world champion.
"This was the entree. Get ready for the main course," Tszyu said.
"The atmosphere is electric. Tim is about to bring home a world title and you're all here to witness it, so let's get behind him."