How a mystery American psychologist is sharpening Tim Tszyu’s mind for his comeback fight

There were fears for Tim Tszyu’s long-term health after hitting the canvas four times in his last loss. But brain scans have cleared Tszyu of any damage — and he has a secret mental weapon in his corner.

Tim Tszyu has turned to a sports psychologist to give him a fresh mental edge after Australia’s former world champion was cleared of brain damage for Sunday’s blockbuster bout against Joey Spencer.

Tszyu suffered a sickening third-round loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev last October and there were fears for the Sydneysider’s long-term health after four heavy knockdowns in eight minutes left him with severe concussion.

But on the eve of his shot at redemption against hard-punching American Spencer, Tszyu’s camp have revealed the ‘Soul Taker’ has been medically cleared of any major brain trauma.

Leaving no stone unturned, Tszyu has not only honed his ring craft, but sought to heal the mental scar tissue of the Murtazaliev mauling with the help of an American sports shrink.

Tszyu has sought professional help to erase the demons following his shock loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings said the 30-year-old (24-2) will be a rejuvenated figure when he faces Spencer (19-1) at Newcastle Entertainment Centre, steeled by a mystery psychologist drafted into the tight-knit Team Tszyu.

“We have a great guy that we met up with over in the United States that we stay in touch with,” Jennings said as Tszyu prepares for Judgement Day against Spencer.

“I won’t mention his name, but Tim has got a person of significance in the United States that we talk to on that mental level.

“For Tim, it’s having an independent listener.

“I wouldn’t call him a mind coach, but he is a psychologist and he contributes on a much deeper level for Tim.”

Once a self-confessed “old school boxer”, Tszyu is not afraid to explore fresh avenues to sharpen the mind.

After his win over American Olympian Terrell Gausha in 2022, the son of Kostya linked with Andrew May, a mental skills coach who has worked with NRL clubs Manly and rugby’s NSW Waratahs.

Tszyu (right) stares down American Joey Spencer ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster bout.

The Murtazaliev beatdown was so comprehensive it shook Tszyu to his core and made him search the soul for answers to keep his dreams of a world-title fightback alive.

“In the boxing world, you often have a small team around you and it’s nice every now and then to bring an independent ear in so Tim could get a fresh perspective,” Jennings said.

“This guy has levelled things out for Tim.

“He is more based in sports psychology.

“When you cop a loss like Tim did against Bakhram, the first thing that happens is there is a sense of loss and depression and all those negative thoughts can come into play.

“He has been great in bringing Tim’s confidence levels back up again.

“Tim enjoys that part of it, and that’s another thing we added to the team for this fight.”

Such was the damage Murtazaliev inflicted, boxing experts have questioned whether Tszyu’s punch resistance has been eroded, something the heavy-handed Spencer will examine on Sunday.

Former two-time world champion Shawn Porter and one of boxing’s most powerful promoters Eddie Hearn have raised concerns, but Jennings dismissed fears about Tszyu’s welfare.

“Tim has been medically cleared, 100 per cent,” Jennings said.

“In Orlando, he was badly concussed, he was feeling quite sick, so I had to get him from the venue and take him to the emergency room for full scans.

“We did every available scan in the United States, followed up with the same procedures back in Australia.

“His brain health is fine. We take no shortcuts in Team Tszyu.

“Our team doctor, Bill Anseline, did a follow up series of scans, tests and performed some neurological functions. All of those said Tim was fine. There’s no damage (to his brain) whatsoever and Tim needed full clearance on all of those tests before we could commit to the fight.

“Tim is in great shape neurologically. There’s no issues with his brain.”

Originally published as How a mystery American psychologist is sharpening Tim Tszyu’s mind for his comeback fight