Boxing: King signs Russian

RUSSIA'S unbeaten Australian- based boxer, Kostya Tszyu, has signed with the American promoter, Don King, to fight in Puerto Rico. Tszyu will fight on the same bill as the World Boxing Association super-middleweight world title rematch between Michael Nunn, of America, and Victor Cordoba, of Panama, on 9 January.

Tszyu has won his first six fights since turning professional in January after winning the world amateur light-welterweight title in Sydney last November. 'This is a tremendous opportunity for Kostya,' Bill Mordey, his manager, said.

Tszyu, 23, is ranked 11th in the World Boxing Council super- lightweight division. His professional career has included five knock-outs, one in 54 seconds over Sammy Fuentes, of Puerto Rico, who went 11 rounds with the current WBC super-lightweight world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez, in a title fight before he was stopped by a cut eye.

Mordey, who also manages the three-times world champion Jeff Fenech, said Tszyu's opponent and the venue would be announced before the end of the week. 'We don't care who they put up, whoever it is he will bowl them over.'