Tim Tszyu draws inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo for world title preparation

Cristiano Ronaldo may have just been eliminated from the World Cup, but he’s still inspiring Tim Tszyu for his title fight against Jermell Charlo.

Tim Tszyu is one of many admirers of Cristiano Ronaldo. Picture: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP

Tim Tszyu is taking inspiration from football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career.

The Sydney boxer has based himself in California and when not training, he’s been immersing himself in documentaries on Ronaldo, who left the World Cup in tears after his Portugal side was eliminated by Morocco in the quarterfinals.

“I’ve watched a lot of Cristiano Ronaldo and the way he does things, and he’s 100 per cent full professional, an obsession-type person with what he does,” Tszyu said.

“I’ve learned a lot of things, that’s why I’ve started tracking the way I eat, tracking how I’m feeling, how I’m thinking, the way I sleep, how much deep sleep I get, what’s my resting heart rate.”

Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the field after losing to Morocco 1-0 in the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarterfinal. Picture: JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

Tszyu’s 10-week camp in the United States before his undisputed super-welterweight title fight against Jermell Charlo is costing an estimated $400,000, with the fighter flying in his private chef Omar Iferd to cook all his meals.

Tszyu’s meals are measured for every calorie, while he’s been using the Los Angeles gym of legendary trainer Joe Goossen.

Tszyu has naturally been disciplined, but has taken his preparation to new levels of professionalism after watching 37-year-old Ronaldo’s meticulous methods.

“I started watching Ronaldo because he’s inspiring first of all, but what he’s doing in his career is crazy at that age,” said Tszyu, 28.

“And if you look at his body, and the way he performs and peaks, it’s a lifestyle thing for him.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s methods have kept him in great shape. Picture: CR7 Underwear

“And I remember back in the day, my dad [Kostya] used to be the same. He used to have that same mindset.

“I remember Ronaldo saying, “You’re not allowed to have Coca Cola, and that was the same as my dad, we were never allowed to have Coke in our house.

“For me it’s a lifestyle. I’m not taking it camp by camp, it’s about becoming the greatest athlete I can possibly be.

“I’m getting massages three or four times a week, and I used to go three weeks without a massage, I used to be tight in this place, that place, now I’m doing the one percenters that I’ve never done.

Tim Tszyu trains in Los Angeles in preparation for his world title fight against Jermell Charlo. Picture: No Limit Boxing/Grant Trouville

“And there’s probably 50 one percenters that I’ve never done; stretching, how much food I eat, being able to switch off and control my emotions, breath work, mindset coaches.

“There is a lot of money invested into this because I’m going all in. This is kill, or be killed.”

Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) fights 32-year-old Charlo (35-1-1, 19KO) at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Casino on January 28 (January 29 AEST) for all four major belts in the super-welterweight division.

He will relocate from the outskirts of Los Angeles to Vegas on December 29.

Tszyu, who does not drink alcohol, will be celebrating Christmas with sparkling water.