Tim Tszyu’s pointed message to his father Kostya after vicious KO of Bowyn Morgan

Tim Tszyu delivered a three-word message to his boxing legend father in Russian after brutally knocking out Bowyn Morgan.

It was a knockout that made the world stand up and take notice – and Tim Tszyu had a message for Moscow he wanted to deliver after his emphatic first round destruction of Bowyn Morgan in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Looking down the camera after the second-quickest finish of his professional career, Tszyu posed a question to his father, Kostya, who was watching from Russia.

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“Papa, ty schastliv?” Tim asked in his father’s native tongue, meaning “Dad, are you happy?”

It left the impression Kostya, who was a fearsome puncher who finished 25 of his 31 wins via KO, was looking for a little extra after his son completely outclassed Jeff Horn in August but left it up to Horn’s corner to call an end to proceedings.

The rapid nature of Tszyu’s win against the New Zealander in the Sydney Super Fight and in particular the ruthlessness of the right hook around Morgan’s guard that sent him sprawling through the ropes was undoubtedly the most pleasing aspect of the rising Aussie star’s performance.

Many Aussie boxing fans have been curbing their expectations of the son of a legend, partly because of not wanting to burden him with added pressure but also because Kostya was just so bloody good and the chances of a Hall of Famer’s offspring matching the world-beating exploits of their father is basically unheard of in boxing history.

The most obvious difference between papa and son appeared to be the devastating power Kostya possessed, that left opponents like Zab Judah staggering like a drunk around the ring.

Tszyu had shown against Horn he had the skills to make a man who defeated Manny Pacquiao look substandard, but did he possess the heavy hands to deliver the type of early stoppages viewers crave?

Tim Tszyu put down Bowyn Morgan with ease. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Kostya and Tim Tszyu in Sydney last year. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

On Wednesday night’s evidence the answer is yes.

The 26-year-old controlled every second of the fight and the contest screeched to a halt when he set up a vicious one-two combination with an overhand right that left Morgan woozy on his feet. While Morgan was momentarily stunned, Tszyu slipped in a sweet left uppercut that saw his rival fall over backwards.

Morgan just managed to get back to his feet before being counted out – and seconds later he was wishing the referee would have stopped it the first time around.

From the resumption of the action, Morgan was dropped again with another huge right and sent crashing under the lowest rope and almost into the first row. It was a statement, one-punch, walk-off KO that will be going viral around the world in coming days.

While commentators declared Tszyu had deliberately chased a first round stoppage – the winner said he was simply setting the fight up when it ended so suddenly.

“I was just getting started,” he said. “Bowyn Morgan is a tough competitor, I just didn’t give him the opportunity.”

HOW THE BOXING WORLD REACTED

Tim Tszyu is headed for the top. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

A classy Tszyu immediately demanded the world title fight he is now owed when handed the microphone after the result was made official.

He is ready for the world – and after Wednesday’s blockbuster exhibition of knockout power, the world is ready for him to take the next step on the global stage.

Anson Wainwright, who writes for the bible of boxing Ring Magazine, declared Tszyu was a “chip off the old block”.

Boxing Scene’s senior writer Jake Donovan was similarly impressed. “Curious to see where Tim Tszyu fits in with the rest of the loaded 154-pound division, but he has yet to disappoint,” Donovan said. “Another cold, calculated knockout for the second-generation boxer who destroys Bowyn Morgan in 1st round.”

Main Event’s Ben Damon said in commentary the world title is just around the corner.

“A dominant, destructive performance from Tszyu and his world title shot could be next,” he said.

“He has blasted Morgan out of Bankwest Stadium. It was allowed to continue and he got it done in devastating fashion.”

Sports commentator Paul Kent told the Main Event post-fight panel it was a “perfect” result for Tszyu to extend his fan base from Australia to the world.

“I’m a little stunned by it. To do that the way he did it tonight. It’s going to make a lot of people make a lot of noise,” Kent said.

“That wakes up the boxing world. There’s nothing like a fighter who can finish fights.

“He’s got a big, big international future.”

WORLD TITLE BOUT IN SYDNEY LOOMS

Tim Tszyu evades a shot by Bowyn Morgan. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

When asked what’s next, Tszyu said in the ring: “You guys know what’s next. It’s a world title here. Here in Australia. In Sydney. Let’s do 10-times the size of this. This is part of history”.

Tszyu’s desire for the fight to be staged in Australia could spark a bidding war between state governments shelling out huge cash to host the event.

It is all expected to fall into place nicely for Tszyu to fight for a vacant WBO title, most likely against Argentina’s Brian Castano, in early 2021, with the WBO expected to strip current champion Patrick Teixeira within days as a result of his failure to defend the belt while stuck in Brazil in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fight will be in Australia, but Tszyu’s lightning knockout on Wednesday night ensures the world will be watching.

Dad has to be happy with that.