Tim Tszyu primed to emulate his father Kostya’s 2001 victory over Zab Judah at MGM Grand ballroom in Las Vegas

24 years on from his dad shocking the boxing world by defeating Zab Judah at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Tim Tszyu is primed to do the same thing - at the very same venue - against Sebastian Fundora on Sunday.

It is one of the most iconic images in Australian boxing history that has Tim Tszyu primed to shock the boxing world in his quest to conquer America.

Tszyu will look to break Australian boxing’s Las Vegas curse when he takes on Sebastian Fundora in their world-title match on Sunday – at the very scene of his father Kostya’s greatest knockout.

Nearly a quarter of a century has passed since Tszyu Sr clobbered Zad Judah in the second round with a thunderous right hand to become the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world in November 2001.

The most lethal and celebrated punch of Kostya’s career was unleashed at MGM’s Grand Garden Arena, the 17,000-capacity venue which has hosted some of the biggest fights in boxing history.

Kostya Tszyu celebrates after he beat Zab Judah at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Picture: John Gurzinski

The bouts have included Mike Tyson’s first fight with Evander Holyfield, Oscar De La Hoya’s blockbusters against Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, Deontay Wilder’s heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury and, of course, the Tszyu-Judah megafight.

Now Tim Tszyu will walk into the arena of the boxing gods, spurred on by the glorious ghosts of Kostya’s golden punch and the knowledge his father’s boilover of Judah can be the template for his own resurrection against Fundora.

Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings was at the MGM Grand when Kostya iced Judah and is back to the same venue on Sunday hoping history repeats as the ‘Soul Taker’ looks to claim the coveted green WBC world title.

“It was almost 25 years ago that Kostya shocked the world against Zab and there’s no doubt it’s a great motivator for Tim,” Jennings said.

“Tim remembers his dad’s great wins and how can we ever forget that perfect punch from Kostya that put Judah away.

Tim Tszyu training in preparation for his rematch with Sebastian Fundora. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“I was in the building that night, it was a special feeling, and I’m excited for Tim to get that same opportunity that Kostya had.

“Tim will be going into the same arena – The Grand Garden – and it will be nice to reminisce when the time comes on (Sunday).”

Jennings recalls Kostya Tszyu facing the same adversity that his son Tim now confronts after his world-title loss to Fundora last year at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, just 1300 metres away from MGM Grand.

“Zab Judah was the next big thing in boxing,” Jennings recalled.

“He was undefeated at the time (27-0) and the top of the tree.

“I remember they arrived in a 52-seat Greyhound bus with an entourage that included Mike Tyson and 50 Cent (American rap legend).

“There were just six of us and we watched as they all came into the lobby of the MGM Grand, it was like a circus.

“Kostya was very much the underdog.

“I s*** myself in the first round because Zab was so quick and I thought, ‘My god, how’s Kostya going to keep up with him?’

Tim and Nikita Tszyu greet Kostya at Sydney Airport after his Las Vegas triumph in 2001. Picture: Brett Costello

“But he was a bit more cautious in the second round and then Kostya cracked him twice, the chicken dance followed, and seconds later we were celebrating one of the greatest wins in history.

“It would be awesome to see Tim do something similar on Sunday and I believe he can.”

Tszyu celebrated his seventh birthday in Sydney just 24 hours before Kostya’s destruction of Judah.

Tim treasures a famous photo of himself and younger brother Nikita running towards their elated dad, his three world-title belts strapped around him, as he cleared customs at Sydney airport.

Tszyu ramped-up his preparations with a sharp gym session in 41 degree heat in Vegas on Wednesday. He is in supreme condition at 73kg and revelling in one of the best weight cuts of his career ahead of Saturday’s weigh-in, where he must get down to the super welterweight limit of 70kg (154 pounds).

The 30-year-old is mindful of Australia’s Las Vegas jinx, with 11 of the nation’s greatest fighters having lost in Sin City. They include Jeff Fenech, Jeff Horn, Michael Zerafa, Michael Katsidis, Jason and Andrew Moloney and even Tszyu himself.

But Tszyu insists the demons of his first Fundora loss, marred by that infamous shocking head gash which required 10 stitches, have been buried.

“There’s no doubts,” Tszyu said.

“I’m at the stage now where I’ve done the hard grind and I’ll perfect the right game plan come fight night.

“I think I am more explosive than him (Fundora) and it’s not just that, but I have the brains, too.

“He is naturally gifted with what he’s got, but IQ wise, I’m a bit sharper.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu primed to emulate his father Kostya’s 2001 victory over Zab Judah at MGM Grand ballroom in Las Vegas