Hall of Fame boxer Kostya Tszyu has sent his son Tim a touching message after he claimed the WBO super welterweight interim world title – but couldn’t resist offering him some tough love.
Tim Tszyu beat American Tony Harrison via a brutal technical knockout on Sunday to clinch the WBO interim super welterweight belt and emulate his legendary father by winning a world title.
Tszyu was mobbed by his family and fight team after the bout in Sydney, but Kostya wasn’t ringside for the occasion – instead choosing to remain in Russia, where he now resides.
The 53-year-old hasn’t been to one of his son Tim’s fights since he made his professional debut in 2016, instead tuning in to watch online.
Kostya shared a video message to social media after the bout, applauding Tim and his younger brother Nikita for their knockout victories on Sunday’s card – while also saying the former needs to correct some errors in his game.
Hall of Fame boxer Kostya Tszyu has sent his son Tim a touching message after he claimed the WBO super welterweight interim world title – accompanied by some tough love
Tszyu was mobbed by his family and fight team after the bout in Sydney, but Kostya wasn’t ringside for the occasion – instead choosing to remain in Russia, where he now resides
‘The fight has just ended,’ he said through a grin.
‘Today Timothy became the world champion. Congratulations, son. Of course there were mistakes but you did well.
‘And also Nikita. You need to study. I love you. Well done. Congratulations.’
The Tszyus now join a select group of just six father-son boxing world champions, including Leon and Corey Spinks, and Julio Cesar Chavez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Tim recently explained why he remains distant from his all-conquering dad, who left him, his mother and Nikita to start a new life in Russia.
‘Every year at school there was a father’s day camp. I never had one father’s day camp. Never had a father’s day breakfast,’ he told the Howie Games podcast.
‘He was never there for us. Now looking back to it, I understand where he came from because to get to where he got to, there’s a lot of sacrifice.
‘It was tough because you always think your parents, it’s like a fairytale, they love each other. Then all of a sudden it’s completely gone.
The Tszyus now join a select group of just six father-son boxing world champions, including Leon and Corey Spinks, Julio Cesar Chavez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr
Tim recently explained why he remains distant from his all-conquering dad, who left him, his mother and younger brother Nikita to start a new life in his homeland of Russia
‘Dad moved to the other side of the world. For me, it wasn’t a big shock because he’d always be in and out. As soon as he finished boxing in 2005 he was always in and out of Russia non-stop.’
Tim added that Kostya is now a ‘completely different man’ as he continues to live in Russia with his two children from a new relationship.
‘I’m looking at him and I’m like, is this the same dad as before? He’s gone soft.’
Tim has been often criticised by boxing experts and fans for getting by on his father’s name – but his dominant victory over Harrison on Sunday has made the boxing world take notice.
By beating Harrison, Tszyu has set up an unification fight against fearsome American Jermell Charlo which will in all likelihood be staged in Las Vegas.
Charlo said he was impressed by Tszyu’s dismantling of Harrison, but warned the Australian he would be an altogether more formidable challenge when they eventually meet in the ring.
Charlo said he was impressed by Tszyu’s dismantling of Harrison, but warned the Australian he would be an altogether more formidable challenge when they eventually meet in the ring
Earlier on the undercard of Sunday’s event, Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita maintained his unbeaten professional boxing record with a dominant TKO victory over tough Aussie Bo Belbin
‘He was impressive. He did what he had to do at home,’ he said as part of Showtime Boxing’s coverage of the fight in the US.
‘He was a little flat to me but my movement, my style and my power will make him do completely different things. When I get my [left] hand right and get back into the ring for training, put that tape in. That will work.’
‘This is exactly what we had seen.
‘He comes forward but is not as fast. He’s strong, of course, but aren’t we all? I’m a different animal in there than Tony.’
Earlier on the undercard of Sunday’s event, Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita maintained his unbeaten professional boxing record with a dominant TKO victory over tough Aussie Bo Belbin.
He dropped Belbin early in the fourth round with a solid left, before the referee stopped the bout shortly afterwards following another flurry of punches.
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