‘Not in my shadow anymore’: Mental limits passed by Tim Tszyu to convince boxing legend dad Kostya his son was the real deal

In an EXCLUSIVE interview, Kostya Tszyu takes us inside the father-son training camp that has him convinced son Tim can wipe the floor with rivals and soar to be world’s best.

Kostya Tszyu has declared his son Tim can be the best super welterweight in the world as Australian boxing’s royal family prepares for an emotional reunion in Orlando.

The legendary Tszyu opened up about his relationship with Tim and their “unbreakable” bond ahead of his son’s world-title showdown with Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev on Sunday at Caribe Royale Resort.

It’s been 2499 days since Kostya was ringside for his one and only appearance watching Tim in the flesh - his son’s win on debut against Zorran Cassady at the Sydney Cricket Ground in December 2016.

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

But the eight-year drought is over, with Tszyu Sr to touch down in Orlando on Friday (AEDT) after a 22-hour flight from Moscow to support his son in his quest to become a two-time world champion.

There is a push for Kostya to walk his son out to the ring on Sunday but the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ is mindful of disrupting the Team Tszyu juggernaut that swept Tim to the WBO world title.

Tim and Kostya Tszyu caught up in Thailand earlier this year after a long absence. Picture: Supplied

And while Tim lost his strap to Sebastian Fundora in March, a training camp with his dad in Thailand has convinced Kostya his son can wipe the floor with rivals Murtazaliev, Terence Crawford, Errol Spence, Fundora and Vergil Ortiz.

Kostya became the first undisputed super lightweight champion in 30 years when he famously clobbered Zab Judah in 2001.

Now the Russian-Australian Hall of Fame luminary believes his son can claim all the belts in the 154-pound division - starting with Murtazaliev’s IBF crown.

“Tim has the mind of a world champion. He can go all the way and beat them all,” Kostya told this masthead from Moscow ahead of his trip to join Team Tszyu in America.

“Tim isn’t finished yet. He can be the best if he keeps pushing himself mentally.

“We went through training in Thailand mentally that he hasn’t gone through before. I put him through very heavy training to see if he would pass the test.

‘KT’ putting Tim through his paces in Thailand. Picture: Supplied

“There was a line in my mind to take him to and Tim passed that line where he has gone to the next level.”

Tszyu jokes there is a reason why Kostya has been absent from his last 24 professional fights.

“I remember my debut, dad was going crazy ringside,” Tim recalls with a laugh.

“I could hear him screaming instructions and he kept jumping out of his seat throwing punches.

“He was being a pain in the ass.

“But after my loss to Fundora, I thought who else has lost a fight in front of millions of people in Las Vegas? Who could I turn to? Who could I ask for help?

“It was my dad. We were able to talk through a few things and the little changes to be made.

“I’m so happy he is coming to this fight. It feels refreshing to have his support.”

Kostya says he won’t be playing an official role when he joins Team Tszyu on Friday.

Tszyu is looking bounce back from his loss to Sebastian Fundora in March. Picture: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images

Now 55, he says he will only walk his son to the ring if asked, insisting Tim has reached the apex of the sport on his terms, driven by his own relentless work ethic.

“Tim is not in my shadow anymore, he is his own man,” Kostya said.

“He has done everything in boxing himself and I am really proud of what he has achieved.

“It’s the same with Nikita (Tim’s younger brother). They have gone down their own roads and done it their own way and they are doing a good job. I am very proud of my kids.

“The best thing for me was to have time together with my son (in Thailand). It’s important.

“This feels like a reunion. We are still close. Nothing can break us and nothing will ever break our relationship.

“Right now, I would say I’m nervous more than excited.

Kostya and and a young Tim after his dad’s win over Jesse James Leija in Melbourne, 2003. Picture: Nick Laham/Getty Images

“I won’t be too involved in this camp. I don’t want to interrupt all the mental and physical preparation for Tim. I will be there in support but I will keep my distance. There will be no disruption. I don’t want my involvement to be stressful for Tim.

“I’m going to be ringside but it’s not up to me if I walk him to the ring.

“If he wants me to do it, I would be honoured to do it.”

What scares Kostya is that Murtazaliev, unbeaten with a 22-0 record, possesses Russian blood. He knows the Soviet steel because it’s what shaped him in his formative years in flint-hard Serov, but Kostya takes comfort in the fact Tim also has his Russian DNA.

“This guy is dangerous,” Kostya said of Murtazaliev.

“He is a heavy puncher and he has great boxing skill. He is not American, he is Russian, so he will have great toughness. Tim will be facing someone he hasn’t experienced before in his career.

“This is a very tough fight for Tim. I am feeling nervous but I know Tim has done the work.”

Originally published as ‘Not in my shadow anymore’: Mental limits passed by Tim Tszyu to convince boxing legend dad Kostya his son was the real deal