Revealed: Inside the incredible moment Kostya broke 11-year Tszyu family split

Tim Tszyu needed only to feel the hands on his shoulders to know immediately who was behind him in a moment that ended an 11-year family split.

Tim Tszyu needed only to feel those most famous of hands on his shoulders to know immediately, and even before turning, who was behind him.

“Dad,” the fighter exclaimed, his back still to that man who wasn’t meant to be here, backstage, and only minutes out from his IBF world title press conference.

Hell, Kostya Tszyu wasn’t even supposed to be in the country yet.

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But that famed Thunder From Down Under ... well, he’s always moved to his own schedule, right?

And now here he was again.

Decked out in a black tracksuit, dark sunnies and signature Kostya Iszyu hat -- that famed rats tail poking out from beneath -- as only moments earlier he had snuck up on his boy.

A fella who was only minutes away from fronting the cameras opposite undefeated Russian champ Bakhram Murtazaliev.

“So he couldn’t see me,” Kostya would explain later of what is truly one of the great reunions in Australian sports.

“But he felt me ... and he knew from my hands”

So as for what would be spoken about in that presser?

Doesn’t matter.

Or not really.

Understanding this day, it was all about the Tszyu’s.

One that started when, to the knowledge of absolutely no one, Kostya went and crashed his son’s world title press conference.

Walking unannounced into the oversized ballroom at Caribe Royale Resort, the Australian boxing legend went, first, up to his understandably shocked younger son, Nikita for a hug.

A moment doubling as the first time the pair had seen each other in 11 years.

Next, Kostya was embraced by Team Tszyu manager Glen Jennings, who quickly whisked him backstage to where that eldest son was waiting for proceedings to begin.

After a while, the now 55-year-old then returned from backstage, plonking himself down in the front row as, with Nikita sat to his left, he videod his son speaking on his iPhone.

“Dad only told me this morning he wasn’t going to be here for this,” Tim Tszyu would said later with the press conference done and media surrounding both he and his Hall of Fame father.

“It’s so typical, man.

“I’m used to it now.

“It’s good to see him ... he’s buzzing.”

Kostzy Tszyu surprises son Tim at the official press conference. Credit: Johnny Garcia

Tszyu also recounted how the old man had surprised him in exactly same way after secretly jetting in from Russia prior to his 2016 professional debut.

Coincidentally, also the last time Kostya saw his boy fight live.

“I was sitting on the couch that time,” Tim said, smile widening at the memory. “He got my traps pretty good.”

Asked by Fox Sports Australia if the same action somehow felt different this time - and if the fighter himself maybe felt different - Tszyu took a long pause before continuing.

“I think now it’s more of a moment for him,” he said, finally.

“I haven’t really missed out on much.

“He’s the one who has missed out on this journey but I’m just glad now that he’s getting to feel this again.”

As are plenty of others.

Especially when recalling how at that debut eight years ago, Kostya got so animated -- or

“chaotic” as Tim remembers it - the son later suggested his boy would never be at another of his bouts again.

But now, he’s back.

And the Kostya countdown is on.

So as for how things will play out fight night?

“Oh, he’s out of control already” Tszyu laughed on Thursday, watching his dad move about the room from one interview to another.

“But I’ll talk to him after, settle him down.”

And as for how the legend himself thinks he will be?

“Dunno,” he shrugged.

“I’m alright now.

“I’m not nervous but l’m not sure what is going to happen.

“But for me, it’s very important to control emotions.

“Not overact.

“Because I can sometimes.

“Can’t control myself.

“It’s not going to happen here though.

“I will control myself

Tszyu family reunite in Orlando. Credit: Johnny Garcia

“I’m trying to help Tim win and win in a better way.”

Elsewhere, Kostya and Nikita also had a wonderful interaction when dad was asked how long it had been since he saw his other fighting son?

“About two years,” Kostya started, turning towards his boy for a confirmation that never came.

“Two years?” Nikita laughed. “It was when I was 16.”

Kostya: “You were 16? No.”

Nikita: “It’s actually a funny story because I was drinking ...”

Kostya: “You were drinking?”

Nikita: “I was a teenager drinking when you came to the house as a surprise.”

Kostya: “For Tim’s fight?”

Nikita: “No I was away for that one”.

Kostya, shaking his head: “Yes, you were away”.

Nikita: “Anyway, I was 16, the whole house was trashed and dad rocks up out of nowhere ... that was our last reunion.”

So when asked how it feels to see both his boys together for the first time in so long, Kostya buried the myth that he is estranged from his family.

“I see them regularly, we’re on the phone nearly every day,” dad said.

“But of course, it’s not the same.

“Still they’re in my heart every second.

“They’re in my thoughts every second.” . .

Kostya also suggested he would discuss some ides with both his sons as Tim prepares to have his first fight since dropping the world title to Sebastian Fundora.

“I hope it’s not going to be too much pressure on him,” he said when asked what he hoped Tim would take of his presence now in fight week.

“He should realise I’m here just to support him.

“I will speak with Nikita today and we will have some conversations about the way I see the fight.

“We’ll write that down.”

Quizzed on why this was for the fight for which he returned after so long away in Russia, Kostya continued: “I have the time.

“I’m extremely busy.

“Extremely busy.

“Until the end of this year I have two days break.

“I’m working every day.

“But now for three days, four days, I’ve cancelled everything to be here.”

Elsewhere, Kostya revealed that he and Nikita were bunking down in the same room for fight week, that he would likely be in Australia before Christmas and on fight night he may even “put extra pressure” on Murtazaliev in Russian.

“Maybe it’s not right to do,” he grinned. “But I’ll put extra pressure on that guy.

“Bakhram, sorry my friend, but l’ll do it.”

Dad also opened up in the fight camp he and Tim shared in Thailand earlier this year - which was all about “pushing yourself over the limit” - and said he would also like to host both boys at his gym in

Russia.

“I’m 55 and still doing exercises that young kids can’t do,” he said.

“I did this with Tim.

“Did some exercises he’s never done before, pushed him over the limit.

“I think it gave him extra belief in himself, that he can push beyond that limit.”

But arguably the greatest moment of the morning?

That came late when, with our interview winding up, and Jennings walking past, Kostya turned and shouted “hey Glenn, where is my shirt?”.

Yep, that’s right .... the great Kostya now wants Tim Tszyu merch.

Originally published as Revealed: Inside the incredible moment Kostya broke 11-year Tszyu family split