‘I wanna be number one’: Tim Tszyu’s plan to be Australia’s top paid athlete

Tim Tszyu has revealed his grand plan to topple Ben Simmons and Jordan Mailata to become Australia’s top paid athlete. And this weekend’s world title fight is the first step to making his lofty goal come true.

Brendan Bradford

@1bbradfo

4 min read

October 15, 2024 - 12:00PM

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Tim Tszyu has opened up on his bold plans of toppling Ben Simmons, Jordan Mailata and Josh Giddey to become the highest paid athlete in Australia.

In a frank interview with this masthead, the boxer says this weekend’s IBF world title fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev is the first step in making that lofty goal come true.

But a loss could see him “applying for factory” jobs again.

BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV | Tim Tszyu faces off against undefeated IBF super welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev | SUN 20 OCT 10:30AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

The common belief around Tszyu is that he had everything handed to him on a silver platter, but that’s not quite the case.

Yes, he grew up in a nice house with a fleet of fast cars, and went to the best schools.

But as soon as he grew old enough to start fending for himself, that’s where the handouts stopped.

Tszyu didn’t always have everything handed to him. Picture: Julian Andrews/Getty Images

It’s how a teenage Tim found himself grinding away on the factory floor long before his boxing dreams came true.

“I used to work in a juice factory,” he tells this masthead. “From when I was about 16, to when I was 21, I worked at Nudie Juice on and off.

“That’s where I started working, in the factory in Mascot there.”

While he’s now able to afford multiple pairs of shoes that cost upwards of $2000, he remembers the days of swiping his Eftpos card and simply hoping for the best.

Tim Tszyu wants to be Australia’s highest paid athlete. Picture: Getty Images

“I used to feel that all the time,” he laughs. “Getting nervous about the ‘Approved or Declined’. It’s a bit better now.”

It was the memory of those early starts and long days packing and sorting on the factory floor that spurred him in his preparations against Jeff Horn in 2020.

He put on a career-best performance that night, and says he’s put in a similar preparation for what he believes will be an even better performance this weekend.

“That Horn fight was do-or-die – that’s what it felt like,” he said. “In my mind it was like, ‘If I lose this, it’s the end and I’m applying for factory jobs’.

“That was my biggest fear, because I used to work in the juice factory, and it’s something I don’t want to do again, I don’t want to go back to that place.

“It’s the same mindset again this time. This is it – that same pressure. I want to feel like this is the last chance.

“It’s the same do or die feeling.”

The Jeff Horn fight was do or die, says Tszyu. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

A win over the fearsome Murtazaliev this weekend will set Tszyu back on a path towards mega paydays against the likes of Terence Crawford, Jermell Charlo and Errol Spence.

Those kinds of fights will see him catapult into the very highest tax brackets, and a lifetime away from the factory floor.

“I was looking at the rich list, and I wanna be number one,” he says deadly seriously. “I know it’s a big thing to ask, but for me, everything’s a competition.

“Second place isn’t good enough, I’ve gotta be first.

“It’s not even about earning money to buy certain things. It’s just about being number one on that list.”

Tszyu is adamant he isn’t in the top five just yet, but says it won’t be long until he’s surpassed the likes of NBA stars Simmons, Giddey, Josh Green, the NFL’s Mailata and global stars Cam Smith, Sam Kerr and Oscar Piastri.

“Number one in Australia is a big goal of mine. At the moment I think it’s some basketball players,” he says. “They’re on stupid amounts of money.

“But we’re gonna get there. It’s about legacy, but it’s also about reaching the very top of that mountain.”

Ben Simmons is currently Australia’s highest paid athlete. Picture: Michelle Farsi/Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles superstar Jordan Mailata is second on the list. Picture: Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Tszyu knows exactly the type of fights that will see him climb the ladder. It’s a familiar list.

“We’re talking Charlo, we’re talking Canelo, we’re talking Terence Crawford and Errol Spence,” he says. “They’re all mega-fights.

“That’s what I’m aiming for and that’s the direction, my path.”

Tszyu’s longtime manager, Glen Jennings, has been with Tim every step of the journey and is confident the fighter will achieve those goals.

As recently as last year, Jennings would allow Tszyu to splash out and buy a new car after a big win.

Now he’s also looking at even bigger things.

Eyes on the prize. Picture: Steve Marcus/Getty Images

“If everything goes to plan – and you can never count on that – but I think Tim will comfortably pass that,” Jennings tells this masthead. “Based on everything that could be in his future – there’s some great fights coming up – so I’m excited for him.

“There are some great commercial deals coming up as well.

“Tim becoming the highest paid Aussie athlete would be a wonderful achievement for all of us, and it sets him up for life.”