Boxing news: Tim Tszyu attempts to become father-son undisputed boxing champions with dad by his side
Tim Tszyu’s legendary dad Kosta will walk him to the ring for his January bout for the first time in six years, as he attempts to create history.
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Kostya Tszyu will walk his son to the ring against Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas as Tim attempts to create history as the first father-son undisputed boxing champions in history.
Tszyu has revealed that his legendary dad will walk him out at Mandalay Bay Casino on January 28, the first time since his professional boxing debut in 2016.
“He’s the original, day-oner, so I do want my dad walking right beside me, rubbing shoulders, walking me out at Mandalay Bay with all my loved ones,” Tszyu said.
“It’s going to happen.
“He walked out for my first fight, but never since then, that was six years ago.
“The duo of undisputed, that’s never been done before.”
Tszyu will attempt to emulate Kostya by winning all major belts in a weight class, when he fights super-welterweight champion Jermell Charlo who holds the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO straps.
Kostya, who lives in Russia, became the undisputed light-welterweight champion with his famous knockout of Zab Judah in 2001.
He’d earlier unified the WBC and WBA belts by defeating Sharmba Mitchell at Mandalay Bay, and then defended all four belts after his Judah win at the same venue against Ben Tackie.
Tszyu plans for a repeat against Charlo, and while he had the option of getting a high profile musician to walk him out, it’s understood he’ll keep his entrance low-key and simply have his father, brother Nikita, grandfather Boris and uncle and trainer Igor Goloubev walking him to the ring.
“I’m a simple man, I’m not that flashy or flamboyant - I do like my cars and watches - but in terms of walkout, I’ve got a walkout jersey for the first time in my career,” Tszyu said.
“I’m walking out with a walkout jacket because I feel like I finally deserve it.
The undefeated Tszyu (21-0, 15KO) has previously taken umbrage at critics who have said he has only risen so quickly because of his famous surname.
“This fight will create history, and if they do mention the dad stuff again, I couldn’t care less, it doesn’t bother me,” Tszyu said.
“I’m the best version I can be of myself.”
Charlo, 32, has an impressive 35-1-1 (19KO) record, and knocked out Brian Castano to become undisputed champion in January.
“I’m excited to be back in the ring to defend my undisputed crown,” Charlo said.
“I’m thankful for everything I’ve accomplished, but the battle isn’t over.
“Tim Tszyu is a young, hungry, aggressive fighter but I’m a pound-for-pound great. I reign as the undisputed champion and if anyone wants a shot at the crown, they gotta see me.
“I’m not going anywhere. I want all my fans to tune in because once again, it’s ‘Lions Only’ time and I plan to light up Las Vegas and show the world that I’m the most dangerous fighter in the sport, regardless of division.”
‘I FEEL LIKE JASON STATHAM’: ROBBERY SHAKES TSZYU CAMP
Tim Tszyu has been forced to dramatically alter his daily movements in California following a robbery by a criminal gang in the same shopping centre the Australian boxer and his team have been using.
Three men were arrested by police for allegedly robbing a woman of $US10,000 in an orchestrated hit called “bank jugging”, where thieves stake out victims from the carpark outside a bank, then follow them to rob them at another location.
It is alleged by authorities that three men watched the woman enter the bank in Thousand Oaks and leave with an envelope. They followed her to another shopping centre, and police allege they distracted her and stole the $10,000 in an envelope from her car.
Tszyu is staying at a house in Oak Park, a small village in Ventura County, an hour north of downtown Los Angeles, and has been using the Thousand Oaks shopping centre to withdraw cash and do grocery shopping.
“It’s unbelievable. You see things on the screen and around Hollywood, but you don’t actually think anything like that would happen near you,” Tszyu told News Corp Australia.
“It’s like a movie, I feel like Jason Statham.
“Look, at first when I heard about it, it was scary. That’s where we’ve been going to do shopping, and it’s crazy to think these guys might have been spying on us and potentially targeting us.
“We are going to be smart, be diligent, change things up so we’re not at the same place every day, because the last thing we want is to be caught up in anything like this.
“We’ve had an amazing stay in Oak Park so far, the environment is perfect and the people have been friendly, we have no regrets having our camp here.
“As the police have said, it’s just about remaining aware of your surroundings and keeping your wits about you.”
Tszyu is staying in a house with his trainer Igor Goloubev and personal chef Omar Iferd, and it’s understood the trio are now avoiding the shopping centre, and withdrawing cash from several different locations and at different times of the day in order not to be targeted by thieves staking out the same bank.
Police said they believe the three men arrested, Oscar Ivan Arias Caballero, Roberto Atilano Del Rio, and Jordan Stiven Puentes Tunjano, are working for a South American criminal gang.
Lieutenant Derek Green from Burbank Police Department called for all locals to remain vigilant.
“We just need to be aware of our surroundings at all times,” Lt. Green said.
“If there’s something that doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t. Trust your instincts, get a hold of the police, and if you think you’re being followed, drive to your nearest police station or place of safety.”
TSZYU’S DREAM TO FIGHT ALVAREZ IN FRONT OF 100K IN LA
First Mandalay Bay. Then, one of the world’s best sports stadiums
Tim Tszyu met the NFL’s $118 million superstar Cooper Kupp on the sidelines of SoFi Stadium – home of the Super Bowl champions LA Rams – and couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like walking out in the arena for a mega-fight.
“Unreal, honestly it looks like a photo,” Tszyu said. “I thought it was a drawing, it’s unreal.
“Fingers crossed, one day I’ll fight here. That is probably the ultimate, but baby steps, one day.”
The only man who could fill this $8 billion stadium, capable of seating 100,000 people for major events, is boxing’s king and future Tszyu target, Canelo Alvarez.
Tszyu is thrilled about the idea of fighting Alvarez at SoFi, but isn’t getting carried away before his undisputed super-welterweight showdown against champion Jermell Charlo, now confirmed for Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Casino on January 28 (January 29 AEST).
Tszyu’s father Kostya unified the light-welterweight division by defeating Sharmba Mitchell at Mandalay in February 2001, then defeated Ben Tackie at the same venue the following year to defend his undisputed crown.
“It’s a long time in the making, finally got that venue locked in and now it’s time to go,” Tszyu said.
“It’s in Vegas, that’s all I wanted, the big bright lights.
“I know the venue very well, it’s the only hotel in Vegas I actually stay at, there’s no surprises there. It’s kind of like a second home.
“Dad fought a couple of world titles there and won. I’ll be doing the same on January 28th.”
Tszyu certainly got a taste of the bright lights of LA during the NFL match between the Rams and Las Vegas Raiders; hip-hop mogul and Raiders fan Ice Cube, and WWE wrestling star The Miz were in the stands.
On meeting Kupp, the injured 2022 Super Bowl MVP, Tszyu said: “It was cool, he had this good energy about him, we spoke as fellow athletes and he was really supportive.
“We shared the same experience as fellow athletes. You don’t get to meet a lot of athletes these days, especially from here, so it’s good to just share what it feels like on the sideline.”
The pair swapped jerseys, with Kupp giving Tszyu a top emblazoned with the No.23.
“Michael Jordan inspired, of course, No.23, I will add this to the collection,” Tszyu said.
Once the announcement was made of Mandalay Bay being the venue for the undisputed fight, Charlo posted on social media: “America vs Australia. Sleep on me and get slept. I got 35 bodies (knockouts), Imma big stepper. Ain’t nobody better.”
HOW AUSSIE ‘MONSTER’ IS PREPARING FOR VEGAS TITLE FIGHT
Tim Tszyu is getting ready to take over the jungle of America.
Australia’s world title challenger has landed in the city of angels but plans to turn into a “monster” against rival Jermell Charlo when the pair clash in Las Vegas on January 29 for all four belts in the super-welterweight division.
“This is the jungle man, I feel like I’m in the jungle,” Tszyu said as he prepared to train at the gym of legendary trainer Joe Goossen – who has guided Shane Mosley, the late Diego Corrales, Riddick Bowe, and is currently coaching lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia.
Goossen was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame on Thursday, but on Thursday it was only Tszyu, his trainer Igor Goloubev, chef Omar Iferd, and American light-heavyweight twins Justin and Jason Bell.
Tszyu is spending a lengthy amount of time in the United States to ensure no stone is unturned when he faces Charlo.
“I’ve got to flick the switch, when I step into the ring, it switches, I’m a monster, that’s it,” Tszyu said.
“I’m not going to be friends with him, let’s just say that. I’m not going to be calling him saying ‘Let’s go for a coffee.’
“We’re two completely different personalities, we’re not mates. We will probably never be mates, but I do have a certain respect for him as a fighter.”
Tszyu enjoyed a rare break from training by cycling around Venice Beach, and was recognised by a few locals.
“When we went to Venice Beach, there were a few guys coming up, it was surprising actually,” Tszyu said.
“I thought I was in a different part of the world, but there are boxing gyms all around the world. It’s crazy.
“That’s what boxing does. People stop and tune in, they stop their whole life to watch that 40 minutes. It’s amazing how many eyeballs there are.”
Tszyu, while undefeated, will start as a betting underdog against knockout artist Charlo.
“It means more, there’s nothing to lose, it’s all in,” Tszyu said.
“This is my moment. The pressure’s on him. I’ve got no pressure.
“He’s the one that’s putting pressure on himself. He said he’s going to knock me out in a couple of rounds. I know that’s not going to happen. Watch what it goes.
“Man, I’m taking this really seriously. Not many people get to fight for the undisputed world championship.
“So if you’re going to do it, do it properly. This is why I came over here so early. I’ve got my team, got everything, left all females at home. Everyone’s back home.
“So now it’s all like this - tunnel vision.”
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