Tim Tszyu engaged to Alexandra Constantine after eight years of dating

The intensely private couple have given a rare insight into their relationship, on the eve of the biggest fight of his career.

Tim Tszyu's fiance, Alexandra Constantine, says they are both highly driven individuals.

TIM Tszyu risks being knocked unconscious each time he steps in the ring, but never has he faced fear like he did when he proposed to long-time partner Alexandra Constantine.

On Christmas Eve last year, 28-year-old Tszyu took Constantine and their french bulldog Pablo to their local dog park, got down on one knee, and she said “Yes”.

“Let’s just say when I did it, I was very, very nervous - more nervous than any fight,” Tszyu said.

Tim Tszyu and partner Alexandra Constantine are engaged.

The intensely private couple have given a rare insight into their relationship – they did not announce their engagement on social media and only a handful of people knew before this interview.

On the eve of the biggest fight of his career, a unification world title bout against Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas, Tszyu revealed how integral his relationship with Alex has been to his career.

“She understands the selfishness that’s needed,” said Tszyu, who has been in camp for 20 weeks, including the past three months in Vegas.

“I’d say a lot of women won’t understand that, putting myself first at all times, and going all in on an obsession.

“Being second best is hard for a woman, but she understands.”

Constantine, who has worked in the property and finance industries, doesn’t view Tszyu’s long trips away as a negative for their relationship.

“It’s a positive, because when he’s gone for a long time for a camp, it gives me a chance to focus on myself and be my own person,” she said.

Tszyu’s time away from home allows fiance Alexandra Constantine to be her ‘own person’. Picture: Matt Roberts/mattrimages.com.au/No Limit Boxing

“Some women get lost in whoever their husband or partner is, I’m fortunate enough that I’m not that person, I’ve always been very strong and independent.

“It’s quite freeing.

“Some people say, ‘Why don’t you go with Tim on his camps?’ Would you bring your wife to work every day?

“Everyone always seems to have a comment, but we just do it how we do it and this is what works.”

The couple met in 2016 when Constantine came to Tszyu’s Rockdale gym and took a boxing lesson, and their love quickly sprouted.

Constantine said there are often misconceptions about their relationship.

The couple met in 2016 at the gym. Picture: Christian Gilles

“A lot of people say we’re really different, but mentally I think we’re very similar,” she said.

“I’m mentally very strong, and I try to guide all my friends, and he guides his friends as well. When some of our friends are down, we’re like, ‘Think about what you’re trying to achieve and you’re going to get there, you’ve just got to believe in yourself’.

“And we definitely don’t associate ourselves with people who are lazy or not like-minded, we always want to be around positive people, people that are driven and who keep wanting to move forward.

“We’re both extremely driven, with Tim, when there is pressure he is always calm.

“The things we talk about at home are like, ‘What are your values and beliefs?’ And we always stay true to that.

“If you remain true to your values, then nothing will get in your way.

“That’s what we let guide us.

Tim Tszyu and fiance Alexandra Constantine love to travel, but lead simple lives at home.

“We’re very down to Earth. We enjoy travelling, but day to day our lives are really simple.

“Tim is definitely the way he was raised, very old school Russian, where men should provide for and protect their family.

“Tim really stays true to those notions.

“I can see in other couples it’s very much 50-50 in that sense, we’re just a little bit old school.

“My mum is a business woman, she’s owned her own business, and same as my dad.

“It’s good that Tim allows me to be independent but also looks after me and is very caring and nurturing. It’s a really nice balance.”

The couple have been dating for eight years. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Tszyu and Alexandra celebrate following victory over Tony Harrison in 2023. Picture: Saeed KHAN / AFP

Tszyu is on the cusp of history, and mega paydays.

Should he win this fight against Fundora to become the unified WBO and WBC super-welterweight champion, Tszyu will have the power to negotiate bouts with superstars Errol Spence Jr, Terence Crawford, and boxing’s highest earner, Canelo Alvarez.

Tszyu believes he may be able to earn more than Floyd Mayweather – who amassed more than $1 billion during his 50-fight career.

“One hundred per cent [I can earn more than Mayweather], there’s so much earning potential, there’s potential in everything,” Tszyu said. “The sky is not the limit, there is so much more beyond that.

“So I’m going to keep going in every avenue.”

Asked when his wedding will be, Tszyu replied: “Once I become the highest earning boxer.”

Originally published as Tim Tszyu engaged to Alexandra Constantine after eight years of dating