Kostya Tszyu retired from boxing as one of many most interesting of all junior welterweights when, in 2005, he misplaced to Ricky Hatton in one of many fights of the 12 months, since when so little of him has been seen. On Saturday, on the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, for the primary time in eight years he attended a struggle involving his son Tim, who was stopped by the IBF junior-middleweight Bakhram Murtazaliev. On the eve of Murtazaliev-Tszyu, the 55-year-old Russian-Australian Kostya spoke to BoxingScene.
It’s been eight years because you attended one in all Tim’s fights. Why is it you’ve travelled to this one?
It occurs. I had time – free time. That’s why I got here right here.
I had free time for myself, from my schedule. I assumed, “Why not?”. On Wednesday I’ve received one other appointment. I’ve received some work. 4 days’ break; cancelled a few conferences on the weekend, and go.
[It’s] pleasurable. I’ll spend a while with the youngsters. We’ll spend time – they’re nonetheless children for me – and we’ll have speak. I received’t put stress [on Tim]. I wish to be only a father – that’s all.
Will it’s troublesome to not be capable of contribute in a boxing context?
No.
Has it been troublesome so that you can be absent for a lot of his and Nikita’s careers?
They know that they’re in my coronary heart on a regular basis.
You have to be very happy with Tim’s achievements…
Enormous. He’s man [first] – that’s vital.
As a father, as an individual who is aware of what it’s all about, I’ve to be 100 per cent assured in Tim’s skill, to present him additional motivation; additional energy. That’s 100 per cent.
Anticipate Nikita now. Have you learnt what number of father-sons have been world champion? Not many. It’s very uncommon. However we’ve by no means had two sons and the daddy world champions.
What’s it been like seeing Nikita for the primary time in 11 years?
Oh, thrilling. He’s a bugger – not bloody answering his cellphone. That’s the issue. Not solely to me – to many individuals. It’s not simple to name from Russia. It’s solely a specific time I’m capable of attain him. I get him typically at my mother and father’ place – utilizing Skype we will speak to one another; see one another. Normally he’s not answering. However, it’s good, and I’m hoping a brand new future – after he’s absolutely recovered, we’ll go to a coaching camp collectively, in all probability in Thailand.
I really like [seeing him]. I miss the youngsters. They’re nonetheless children for me. We do speak, however not usually sufficient.
Does that make you unhappy?
In fact. However I can’t change it.
I’m an emotional man. I will be myself within the household, and I’m myself with them. Large-time [emotional]; big-time joyful.
I’m very totally different to how I was.
Why have we seen so little of you since your final struggle?
No time. It’s a brand new life for me. I’ve received a brand new household; children. I’ve received two younger children, 10 and eight years outdated – Alexander and Victoria. [Tatyana is Tszyu’s second wife].
What do you do for a dwelling in Moscow?
I’ve received many, many issues. Public talking loads. I’ve received a boxing fitness center; I’ve received a restaurant. I’ve received numerous companies.
A number of issues. Clothes. Not every little thing I can say. Another enterprise stuff.
I’m not a coach. [But] I’m doing, typically, coaching periods – non-public periods.
Was there any a part of you that didn’t need your sons to field?
No. It’s their resolution. That is their approach. They requested me. I stated, “If you need it, I’m in your aspect”.
It’s their resolution. Their lives. I’m very proud [of the] the best way they selected a not simple life. They may do it the simple approach, however they’ve by no means completed it the simple approach.
How good is Bakhram Murtazaliev?
He’s fighter. I haven’t seen him prepare; I’ve seen him within the ring simply briefly, however he’s fighter.
He’s fighter. He’s a world champion. However to be trustworthy I by no means wished my son to struggle Russians – however he has, and he’s received, one thing that’s speculated to be in Tim’s palms. His belt. It’s nothing private. However he’s received one thing that’s speculated to be Tim’s.
I by no means fought Russians. Tim’s Australian, however he’s Russian, and I actually need him to struggle in the future in Russia. All of the help he’ll get – he’ll get a lot larger help if he doesn’t struggle Russians. He handles it very effectively.
How good a fighter is Tim?
Higher.
Angle, sure. His angle is totally proper. Not many have gotten that.
Earlier in 2024, Ricky Hatton was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame…
I’m joyful for him. I’m joyful, as a result of he deserves it. He did many good fights. He beat me, and I’m already there.
Do you miss boxing?
Not likely. Really, I do miss it, however on the similar time I’m busy sufficient, and I do a variety of issues in Russia, throughout boxing, however I’m not formally placing myself there. I’m undercover.
I’ve had my life [in boxing]. I do know the worth of my life now. I’m joyful – that’s the vital half. I’m not regretting something, and I’m happy with my life. I loved my life.
Did you ever come near returning?
No. My mum – truthfully, this is a crucial message. My mum [Valentina] requested me, “Don’t struggle once more; don’t do that once more – please”, and I stated, “Okay”. After that struggle, she stated to me, “Please don’t struggle once more”, and I did promise to her that I might by no means struggle once more. She’s near 80.
Within the context of a retired fighter, how is your well being?
I really feel good. I dwell a wholesome life – that continues. I don’t drink; I don’t smoke. I get pleasure from my life; I eat wholesome meals. I’ve two younger children – they’re younger, and I want to lift them.
I do that [get checked] regularly – twice a 12 months. Totally. Coronary heart; every little thing. Checking.
How do you suppose Tim handles the stress of being your son?
He handles it very effectively. We’ve mentioned this matter – his group – and I stated, “Look, what I did, it doesn’t matter. What you do – this issues. We talk about, however I by no means evaluate myself with you, and I don’t need you to match your self with me – we’re totally different”. We’ve got totally different backgrounds; now we have totally different starvation.
Tim’s doing every little thing – a lot that I’m so happy with. I believe it’s crucial, when a father is happy with his son – and I’m… I’ve already stated, the best way he conducts himself within the ring, and out of doors of the ring, makes me get pleasure from what he’s doing.
I’m 100 per cent assured.
At this stage of his profession, [Murtazaliev is] crucial struggle.
We received’t discuss subsequent, till we end this.
