Boxing 2022: Kostya Tszyu will be by son Tim’s side for his multi-belt blockbuster
Tim Tszyu has declared Jarnell Charlo should be worried ahead of their blockbuster bout. And the Aussie boxing star will have a famous name by his side.
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Look out Jermell Charlo, here comes the Thunder from Down Under.
Tim Tszyu is pulling out the heavy artillery for his world-title debut, revealing his legendary father Kostya will be in his corner for his multi-belt blockbuster against Charlo on January 29.
Regarded as Australia’s greatest boxer, Tszyu senior has lived in Russia for the past decade and attended just one of Tim’s fights – his professional debut against Zorran Cassady at Sydney Cricket Ground in 2016.
Now, six years later, king Kostya will be by his son’s side for the biggest bout of his 21-fight career, with the 52-year-old to join Tim in America for a two-month camp ahead of the Charlo showdown.
The Tszyu camp will hire a home in Las Vegas to ensure their preparation is free of distractions and Tim (21-0, 15KO) says Kostya will be a key ally as his plots a boilover of undisputed super welterweight king Charlo (35-1-1, 19KO).
“Dad said he is coming ... it’s great,” said Tszyu, who was a keen onlooker at Wednesday’s launch of the Paul Gallen double header against Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant in Brisbane on September 15.
“It will be good to see my dad. He will be at the (Charlo) fight, it’s a big one for me.
“It will be great for me, 100 per cent.
“I haven’t seen dad for a long time, so it would be good to see him and get a few tips from him as well.
“I haven’t seen him since the whole Covid thing, so it’s been a few years.”
Asked if Kostya will be banned from giving him instructions during the fight, Tim said with a laugh: “I will get tickets for him right at the back of the crowd, he’s sitting right at the back so I can’t hear him.”
Tszyu’s build up for the Charlo super fight has been turbulent.
The unbeaten Sydneysider underwent surgery on both hands to fix torn tendons, but Tszyu scoffed at suggestions he will be roadkill for the ferocious Charlo, who destroyed Brian Castano in their unification bout in May.
“All the stars have aligned,” Tszyu said.
“If it wasn’t for my hands, it would have been a really long preparation, but having the surgery on my hands has allowed me to focus on different things. It’s a blessing in disguise.
“It won’t be a shock in my eyes (to beat Charlo). He is the one who should be worried. I hope he isn’t having a vacation.
“This isn’t just a world title, this is for four belts, so the timing couldn’t be better.
“This will be the best version of me with the experiences I have had. I am ready to take the next step.”
For now, Tszyu is happy to take a back seat and marvel at the sight of Gallen becoming the first Australian boxer in 132 years to have two fights on the same night.
The NRL legend will take on Hannant before backing up against Hodges after a one-hour interval, a feat Tszyu says should be not undersold.
“It’s ballsy by Paul to take on two opponents,” Tszyu said.
“It’s a tough gig man, it’s unheard of.
“I do it in sparring, we bring four opponents in and swap them and rotate them and Gallen is doing it in an actual fight where adrenaline goes up and down.
“Gal is a good fighter. He fought Justis Huni and went 10 rounds with him. He stayed in the pocket and Justis is an exceptional fighter, so Gal has done really well.
“I am curious to see how he handles this.”
Gallen admits he has more concerns about the cool-down component than the actual fights with Hodges and Hannant.
“I am nervous,” he said.
“The biggest issue will be warming up and the emotion of winning a fight, then cooling down and getting back up again for another fight.
“I will beat them both. Hodges and Hannant haven’t got my ticker or my heart or my fitness ... they simply aren’t me.”
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Originally published as Boxing 2022: Kostya Tszyu will be by son Tim’s side for his multi-belt blockbuster
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