Working class scrapper Koen Mazoudier faces Nikita Tszyu and the golden family of Australian boxing

Koen Mazoudier is the Blacktown-born underdog who had to scrap for everything in boxing. It’s a stark contrast with the golden family of Australian boxing that he takes on next week.

Koen Mazoudier is planning an all-time upset this Wednesday. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Blacktown fighter Koen Mazoudier is planning a smash and grab mission on one of Australian boxing’s golden boys Nikita Tszyu this Wednesday night.

Mazoudier (12-3-1) says Team Tszyu has carefully selected him as an opponent but is adamant on causing a massive boilover.

“They obviously see something, because they don’t take fights they’re not confident of winning,” Mazoudier told this masthead. “They have a very experienced team and they have everything in place to where it needs to be, while I’ve just been piecing it together step-by-step.

“Nikita’s gotta be honest with himself and know that he’s been perfectly managed and every step has been planned out.”

BOXING: NIKITA TSZYU V MAZOUDIER | WED 28 AUG 7PM AEST | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

Born at Blacktown Hospital and raised in the area, Mazoudier has scrapped and clawed his way to Wednesday night’s PPV headliner at the ICC Theatre in Sydney.

Their professional debuts tell the story of the stark differences between the pair.

Tszyu’s was a much-hyped main event on a card that was televised on Fox Sports.

Mazoudier’s was an anonymous four-rounder at North Sydney Leagues Club.

“I started my career without even having a manager, with no path and no promoter,” Mazoudier said. “I started in club shows after doing my time in the amateurs.

“I was selling tickets – and I’m still selling tickets – to make some dollars.

Mazoudier has fought his way to the top the hard way. Picture: No Limit Boxing

“I don’t see that as a ‘poor me’ act or anything, I see it as stripes I’ve had to earn and hurdles I’ve had to get over that have helped me grow.”

There were times Mazoudier was frustrated that both Tszyu brothers were getting ahead faster than him, but he says his experience in the trenches will show through.

“I grew up more with Tim and I remember at some points being like, ‘Tim gets fast-tracked and all this is happening for him, while I’m battling against the grain’,” he said.

“While Nikita’s time in the sport has been short, it’s been the perfect quality time.

“So, he has earned it, but you can’t skip experience.

“You can’t buy the experience that I’ve got. I’ve done four or five hard 10 round fights, and that’s gonna pay off in this fight.”

Mazouier has been 10 rounds five times. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Tszyu doesn’t deny the advantages he’s had, but hits back criticism of his fast rise.

“He’s had a silver spoon when it comes to people in poverty as well,” Tszyu told this masthead of Mazoudier. “He’s very privileged in his access to water, roads and technology.

“You can play that blame game all you want, but it’s all over the world.

“Look at people in Africa, the way they train by punching tyres.

“Don’t bark at the person in the position I’m in. What am I supposed to do, go out to Africa and start punching tyres and beg for his approval?”

Despite growing up with the trappings of wealth, Tszyu says he never had it easy.

“Yes, we had a lot of opportunities, but we still had military training every day with our dad – it wasn’t easy with him,” he said. “Every morning he’d open the door to your bedroom and scream, ‘WAKE UP!’ and if you weren’t downstairs getting ready for a run within five minutes, you’d be hung.

Tszyu scored a one-sided decision over Danilo Creati in April. Picture: No Limit Boxing

“We never tested what would happen if we didn’t make it in time. You just knew not to mess with him.

“We had a military father. We had our struggles, so it wasn’t all easy.”

Which all adds up to a mouth-watering title showdown, says Mazoudier.

“I respect him as a man and as a fighter, but as the fight gets closer, I come into this conqueror’s mindset,” he said. “We took different routes to get here, and I’ve definitely had some doubts along the way.

“He’s unique, he doesn’t play fake or talk nonsense. He speaks from the heart and he fights the same way.

“I’m the same.

“The amount I’ve developed over the last six months, I feel like a new person. I feel like I’m almost born again.

“Anything could happen, I could hurt him early, or he could hurt me early, but I do plan on making it a very, very hard fight and it will be my night.”

Originally published as Working class scrapper Koen Mazoudier faces Nikita Tszyu and the golden family of Australian boxing