Inside the Tszyu family camp ahead of Tim’s July 19 rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas

Tim Tszyu is running out of time to find someone to replace his grandfather Boris to be entrusted for an important fight night job – but his brother Nikita has already ruled himself out.

There’s an important fight night job up for grabs in Tim Tszyu’s team, but not everyone is putting their hands up for it.

Not just anyone can do it either.

It’s the job vacated by Tszyu’s grandad, Boris, who can’t travel to Las Vegas for Tim’s rematch with Sebastian Fundora on July 19.

And it’s a delicate issue.

Nicknamed “The Godfather” Boris, who is too old to travel, was a missing link in Tszyu’s two losses in America last year, but was back on deck for ‘The Soul Taker’s’ demolition of Joey Spencer in Newcastle in April.

In fight camp, Boris will ring his oldest grandson non-stop, asking about his weight, how he’s feeling and how sparring is going.

Boris keeping a close eye on Tim. Picture: Brendan Bradford

At training, he stands on the edge of the ring with a towel and a bottle of water, and a pat on the back.

On fight night though, he has a very specific job.

“This is a funny one, when I need to piss, but I’ve got my gloves on …” Tszyu told Code Sports, before cracking up laughing.

“Only my grandpa … I say, ‘Grandpa, can you hold it for me? And shake it as well.

“Someone’s gotta do it.”

He does the job for Nikita as well.

On July 10 though, Boris won’t be around.

Nikita is travelling to Las Vegas a few days before the fight, and Code Sports asked ‘The Butcher’ if he’s been tasked with the delicate job.

“I’m not holding his c**k, if that’s what you’re asking,” he laughed. “He’ll have to find someone else.

“Or piss himself.

“Don’t wear white, anyway.”

Boris watching over NIkita's training. Picture: Brendan Bradford

Beyond the jokes though, Boris’ absence is always felt.

By the time Tim and Nikita were teenagers, Kostya had relocated back to Russia, so Boris filled the void.

“He’s been that father figure from a young age,” Tims says. “Grandpa’s been to every one of our fights in Australia. Through my dad’s career as well, he’s been there.”

Tim had to break the news to his grandfather that he wouldn’t be able to make this trip.

Not that Boris listened.

“He still thinks he’s going. He keeps asking,” Tszyu told Code Sports shortly before flying out to Las Vegas last week.

“He asked me again yesterday.

“It’s hard, but I’d rather see him more comfortable back here at home.

“It’s a bit hard for him travelling now, and the older they get, the more you need to look after them.”

Tszyu put the finishing touches on camp in Sydney last week before flying to Las Vegas. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The pair will keep in touch through phone calls and facetime instead.

“He’s gonna be calling me non-stop,” Tim laughs. “And when he calls and I don’t answer, it’s not just one call.

“It’s 30 missed calls. He just hangs up and rings again, hangs up and rings again.

“He’ll do that for 20 minutes.

“I’ve got two numbers, so I’ll have missed calls on both phones. It’s funny.”

After welcoming the birth of his first daughter a week ago, Nikita will travel to America for his older brother’s fight.

Nikita spent several weeks in Vegas last year, but doesn’t want to spend that long overseas this time around.

Tszyu says the Fundora rematch is about vengeance. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“I don’t want to be away for too long,” the new father said. “Apparently my face has changed a lot, that’s what my wife says. She says I look different, and more like a father.

“I’m just very happy, it’s such a beautiful moment.

“It’s the most meaningful thing you can do in your life. It’s family, that’s what the point of living is.”

Meanwhile, older brother Tim says he has also changed drastically since his bloody defeat to Fundora in March last year.

“I’ve learned a lot of lessons, I’m more mature and I’m more comfortable in my own skin,” he said. “Not just as a fighter, but as a person.

“The last time, I had momentum, this time I feel like I’ve got more to prove.

“The fact that when I rewrite this chapter, it’s going to be one hell of a story, and that’s the leading motivation.

“It’s more about the story. It’s just proving it in my story. Not to anyone else really, but just proving it.”

Originally published as Inside the Tszyu family camp ahead of Tim’s July 19 rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas