‘It is hard’: Kostya Tszyu opens up about leaving family in candid admission

Boxing legend Kostya Tszyu has opened up about his relationship with his sons as he prepares to watch Tim fight for a world title this weekend.

Kostya Tszyu has opened up on his decision to leave Australia for Russia as he prepares to watch son Tim fight in person for the first time in nearly a decade.

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.

This week the 29-year-old has been reunited with dad Kostya in touching scenes, with the former undisputed world champion enjoying seeing his sons Tim and Nikita again.

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

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.

“Honestly, I want to be there every time they fight. Unfortunately, it’s too far away,” Kostya said in an interview with Main Event Ben Damon.

“Secondly, I’m extremely busy. I have a schedule months ahead of me. At the end of the year I only have three days off.”

Tim, Kostya and Nikita Tszyu reunited in the United States. Picture: Johnny Garcia

Kostya Tszyu surprises Tim with a headlock. Picture: Supplied

Tim successfully made weight on Saturday (AEDT), tipping the scales at 153.4 pounds (69.58kg) to Murtazaliev’s 152.8 pounds (69.3kg).

Kostya, 55, caught up with Tim in Thailand earlier this year and put him through his paces, and he is ecstatic to be able to support his son in person.

“Superb. Great feeling knowing that the reunion will benefit him,” he said.

“Great, even though we have not seen each other. They’ve understood what’s happened in my life and we move forward.

“I’m here for Tim. Nikita is great and able to come as well for preparation, but we’re here for Tim. We’re in the corner. Even though I’ve been living in Russia for many years now, he always knows that I’m in his corner.

“He always should know that any time he wants me to be there, I’ll be there. I’ll cancel everything.”

Kostya and Tim Tszyu in 2019. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Tim 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.

“I think he’s become mentally even stronger after this fight,” Kostya said of Tim.

“He can go so much beyond the normal person’s limit.

“I’ve become wise in terms of pushing. I know one thing - I should never compare myself to anyone that I train. I grew up differently. I grew up in a different environment, on different desire and I cannot compare myself to anyone.”

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.

“I can’t believe myself how bad I was,” Kostya said of Tim’s debut.

“Experience is telling me that all my yelling didn’t help him. I’ll put my ego inside me, I won’t think about myself. I’ll think about him.”

Kostya also told the Daily Telegraph he would love to see Tim fight in Russia one day.

“He never lived in Russia for long but he has a huge following and great support and, yes, I would love to see him fight in Russia one day,” Kostya said.

“I will be looking to organise this one day.

“One day, it will happen.

“Many people want him to fight in Russia and I might just be the co-promoter! He can’t fight without me promoting it.”

It comes amid reports promoters No Limit want Tim to fight one more time in 2024, with a stadium fight on December 29, possibly in Perth and Adelaide, on the cards.

News Corp reports it could well be Tim’s last ever fight in Australia, with Erickson Lubin and Jesus Ramos floated as potential opponents.

The boxing legend said he wished he spent more time with Tim and Nikita, but he is focusing on his family in Russia.

“It is hard. I miss a lot. I miss the time we’d spend together. I’ve been dreaming about this (reunion) but life goes on. The responsibility I have, I can’t change,” Kostya said.

“My job is to raise kids - that is the number one responsibility for me. It is something that I missed with my boys (Tim and Nikita) because I was in training.

“Maybe it’s not fair but I couldn’t do anything. I enjoy my life now. I’m not doing anything I don’t like. My attitude towards life did not change but my priorities changed because now kids, family is number one. Nothing else.

“He can call me anytime, I can call him anytime. I know if they call, they are fine,” he said.

Tim Tszyu fights Bakhram Murtazaliev on Sunday (AEDT). Coverage of the main card begins on Kayo Sports at 10.30am (AEDT).

Originally published as ‘It is hard’: Kostya Tszyu opens up about leaving family in candid admission