Kostya Tszyu’s gift and special message for Tim ahead of world title fight

Kostya Tszyu’s warrior beads are almost as iconic as his rat’s tail, and the ‘Thunder from Down Under’, so it was fitting that the boxing legend gifted his son Tim a special set ahead of Sunday’s IBF title fight.

“I’ll give you all my strength, all my power and everything I’ve got.”

That’s the last message Kostya Tszyu whispered in Russian into Tim’s ear ahead of his IBF super-welterweight world title fight with Bakhram Murtazaliev.

It’s a message normally passed on by his grandparents, but they couldn’t make the long trip to Orlando this weekend.

So, just hours after gifting his son a set of precious worry beads – which the Tszyus sometimes change to ‘warrior beads’ – it was Kostya who passed along the solemn message.

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

“I haven’t had that whisper in a long time,” Tim said. “Usually it’s my grandma and grandpa, but he wished me it.

“And I felt it.”

It’s one of many touching moments between Kostya and Tim since “KT’s” shock early arrival in Orlando.

On Thursday evening local time, Kostya gifted Tim a set of lucky ‘warrior beads’ engraved with both of their initials.

Kostya’s beads are almost as iconic as his rat’s tail, and the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ hasn’t left home without them in 25-years.

Kostya Tszyu shows off his iconic worry beads. Picture: Brendan Bradford

Kostya has a company that makes them. Picture: Brendan Bradford

“He can’t go a day in his life or move around anywhere without them,” Tim said after tipping the scales at 153.4 pounds.

“I remember as a young kid, he always had them. I remember he couldn’t find them once and it was a big panic.

“He gave me some good ones, and I guess I’ll start flipping them around now.”

Kostya – who hasn’t seen Tim fight in person in eight years – says they bring luck and have a calming influence on him.

The former world champion had a set specially made for his oldest son ahead of his do-or-die world title comeback this weekend.

"I don't think he's the smartest chap on the block..." 👀

Tim Tszyu doesn't understand some of Bakhram Murtazaliev's questionable choices during his weight cut. 🤔#MurtazalievTszyu
📆 Sunday 20 October
⏰ 10:30am AEDT
📺 https://t.co/50I5Sd6mTMpic.twitter.com/yzhCmWlolR

— MAIN EVENT (@MainEventTV) October 18, 2024

“They’re with me every day – every day,” Kostya told this masthead while rolling his own pair around in his hands after the weigh-ins.

“I have many different ones. It’s like good luck. It’s something I’ll never leave home without – it’s been about 25 years.

“I picked it up from a Russian businessman who had lived in Australia for many years. He said, ‘If you like them the first time, it’s gonna stay with you forever’.

“Muslim people, part of their religion is they have prayer beads. It’s not that, but it’s similar.”

Kostya predicted a “good, hard fight” before a world title victory for Tim, while ‘The Soul Taker’ questioned Murtazaliev’s weigh in approach.

The Chechen world champion woke up on Friday morning a full three pounds under the 154 pound super-welterweight limit, and actually put weight back on before hitting the scales a 152.8 pounds.

“It think he’s not that smart. I’ve said it all week,” Tszyu said after eyeballing Murtazaliev. “I don’t think he’s the smartest chap on the block. I’ll make him pay.

“I saw him eating chips the other day – crisps – it’s bizarre to me. I come from a boxing background and a true professional life.

“We don’t do this stuff.”

Originally published as Kostya Tszyu’s gift and special message for Tim ahead of world title fight