‘Dad’s coming’: Tim Tszyu teases reunion with Kostya at world title fight

One of boxing’s most famous families will be reunited this weekend when Tim Tszyu fights to get back on his path to world domination.

Kostya Tszyu is set to watch his son Tim fight in person for the first time since his debut eight years ago.

Tim Tszyu is back in the ring this weekend, taking on undefeated Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF super welterweight title on Sunday (AEDT) in Orlando, Florida.

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.

The 29-year-old is looking to bounce back from a brutal loss to Sebastian Fundora in March when a bloody gash opened up on his forehead but he completed the fight despite his vision being restricted. It was the first defeat of his career.

He had been scheduled to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr in August but the fight was cancelled on medical advice, with Tszyu needing more time for the cut on his head to heal.

Tim and Kostya reunited for the first time in years in Thailand in May, with the father and son stepping in the ring together for some training sessions.

Kostya left Australia over a decade ago to return to his native Russia, where he has started a second family.

Now Kostya is expected to be ringside for the fight, which is going ahead in Orlando after the damage wreaked by Hurricane Milton forced promoters to consider moving the fight to Las Vegas.

Kostya watches his sons fight on TV and via FaceTime, but there will be an extra buzz inside Caribe Royale Resort with him there in the flesh.

Kostya Tszyu is set to attend Tim’s fight. Photo: Instagram.

Tim and Kostya in 2019. Picture: David Swift.

Tim has previously said he didn’t enjoy the presence of Kostya barking instructions during his debut in 2016, but is happy his dad is coming to watch him.

“Dad’s coming, he’ll be here,” Tim told Main Event’s Ben Damon.

“We’ve got some pickleball games planned out. It will be good to see him.

“I spoke to him and said, ‘I’m quite excited to see you coming’. I think he’s more nervous about behaving himself. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a big moment for me.

“What has changed is I’ve grown and I know how to eliminate all distractions. It’s not up to who’s around me, it’s up to myself.”

Asked if his younger brother Nikita would need to keep their dad Kostya under control, Tim said: “I think they’re rooming with each other actually. (That’s a) reality TV show right there, I’d love to see that.”

Kostya is a former undisputed world champion in the light welterweight division, and if Tim beats Murtazaliev, he will be back on the path to a rematch with Fundora and fights against Errol Spence or Terence Crawford.

Tim Tszyu is ready to rumble. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

HOW TO WATCH TIM TSZYU VS BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV

Tszyu vs Murtazaliev is available to watch and stream as a pay-per-view via Kayo Sports or Main Event.

You don’t need an existing Kayo subscription to purchase the PPV.

WHAT TIME IS THE FIGHT

The main pay-per-view card, featuring three fights, begins at 10.30am (AEDT), 10am (ACDT), 9.30am (AEST), 9am (ACST) and 7.30am (AWST).

Boxing timing isn’t an exact science but expect the main fight to get underway in the early afternoon Australian time on Sunday.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Tim Tszyu

Record: 24-1 (17KOs)

Height: 174cm

Reach: 179cm

Age 29

Bakhram Murtazaliev

Record: 22-0 (16 KOs)

Height: 183cm

Reach: 183cm

Age: 31

BETTING ODDS

Tim Tszyu is a shortpriced favourite to win, per Sportsbet’s odds.

Tszyu win: $1.16

Murtazaliev win: $5.75

Draw: $21

Tszyu via KO/TKO: $1.81

Tszyu via decision: $3

Murtazaliev via KO/TKO: $11.50

Murtazaliev via decision: $9

FULL FIGHT CARD

Tim Tszyu vs Bakhram Murtazaliev

Yoenis Tellez vs Johan Gonzalez

Cesar Mateo Tapia vs Endy Saavedra