Tim Tszyu v Dennis Hogan: Kostya Tszyu opens up on son Tim’s rise as Australia’s new face of boxing

Australian boxing legend Kostya Tszyu says world domination is only a matter of time for son Tim, but will still look him in the eyes and share crucial advice minutes before his next fight.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – March 30, 2021. Tim Tszyu hits the scales. Tim Tszyu and Dennis Hogan face off and officially weigh in at Newcastle Civic Theatre ahead of tomorrow night's Steel City Boxing Showdown at Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Peter Lorimer.

A nervous Kostya Tszyu will Facetime his son only minutes before he walks out for what the Australian boxing legend insists is another step towards world domination, saying: “He’s not champion … but he will be”.

While Tszyu Sr cannot be ringside for the Steel City Showdown between son Tim and Irishman Dennis Hogan on Wednesday night, the Thunder from Down Under says he will still be “in the heart” of his boy — and watching a live TV broadcast from Russia.

Better, the Hall of Fame fighter, now 51, will also speak with his son in those final moments before the undefeated super welterweight leaves the change room to chase an 18th straight win, a moment that is increasingly becoming something of a tradition between the pair.

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Kostya Tszyu expects his son Tim to follow his own storeyed career. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Speaking via Zoom from Moscow on Monday, Tszyu not only praised his son’s emergence as the new face of Australian boxing, but predicted him to follow his own storeyed career, which included the IBF, WBC and WBA light welterweight titles.

“He’s not champion, but he will be one day,” Tszyu said.

“He’s seen what it takes to be world champion (and) he will be able to do it himself.

“So when Tim feels he is ready, he will fight for the world title.

“I’m just really happy about one thing, he is so focused.

“He never takes anything for granted.”

Despite being separated by some 14,000km, Tszyu said he and his son maintained the type of relationship that meant he would still be inside Newcastle Entertainment Centre on fight night.

“We have a great bond with each other,” Tszyu said. “One you’re going to hear from long distance.

“I’m in Moscow, he’s there.

“And he will hear me … in his heart.”

Boxing legend Kostya Tszyu hams it up with his famous rat’s tail.

While the man who dominated world boxing in the early 2000s still sports his famed rats tail — “have a look at it,” he laughed, turning his head for the camera — Tszyu Sr admitted he was now just like any father forced to watch his son fight.

“I am very nervous already,” he laughed. “I can’t help myself.

“It’s difficult.

“I could control myself while fighting (because) I know what I’ve done, the preparation I’ve had, that gave me confidence.

“Unfortunately with Tim, I haven’t seen the preparation.

“I can’t help him physically.

Tszyu steps up on the scales at the weigh-in at Newcastle’s Civic Theatre. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“So I’m jumping in my own father’s shoes now. That’s the reason why he was so nervous during the preparation for my fights.”

So as for how dad wants the bout against Hogan to go?

“As quick as possible,” he said, before later revealing also how “I like him to slowly destroy his opponents”.

Should Tszyu beat Hogan on Wednesday night, his manager Glen Jennings said the fighter would then only be “one phonecall” from potential world title blockbusters against division’s two champions — American Jermell Charlo, who boasts the WBC, WBA and IBF straps, or WBO champ Brian Castano.

Other possible contenders include American Danny Garcia and the United Kingdom’s Liam Smith, while there is also talk of a bout with Melbournian Michael Zerafa if ongoing travel restrictions prevent Team Tszyu from flying a worthy challenger Down Under.

Tszyu and Hogan ahead of what is being billed as the Australian’s toughest challenge to date. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Elsewhere, Kostya Tszyu offered plenty of praise for his son’s latest rival Hogan, the Brisbane-based Irishman whose last two fights have been world title losses to American Jermall Charlo and Mexican Jaime Munguia, both of whom are undefeated

“To be great, you need to fight great fighters,” Tszyu said.

“And from what I’ve seen (Hogan) is still hungry which is great. He’s hungry for success and I think he’s going to be ready.

“So this is the next step for Tim.

“Dennis is a good fighter.

“It’s not going to be easy.

“And something I really want to see from Tim, is to get something extra from himself.

“If Tim wants to achieve big goals he has to fight good fighters.

“And this bloke is not an easy one.

“I love it.”