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 yr, 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 considered one of 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 believed, “Why not?”. On Wednesday I’ve bought one other appointment. I’ve bought some work. 4 days’ break; cancelled a few conferences on the weekend, and go.
[It’s] gratifying. I’ll spend a while with the children. We’ll spend time – they’re nonetheless children for me – and we’ll have speak. I gained’t put strain [on Tim]. I need to be only a father – that’s all.
Will or not it’s troublesome to not be capable to 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 pleased with Tim’s achievements…
Large. He’s man [first] – that’s essential.
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 provide him further motivation; further power. That’s 100 per cent.
Look forward to 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 straightforward to name from Russia. It’s solely a selected time I’m capable of attain him. I get him typically at my dad and mom’ place – utilizing Skype we are able to speak to one another; see one another. Often 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, most likely in Thailand.
I like [seeing him]. I miss the children. They’re nonetheless children for me. We do speak, however not usually sufficient.
Does that make you unhappy?
After all. However I can’t change it.
I’m an emotional man. I could be myself within the household, and I’m myself with them. Massive-time [emotional]; big-time completely happy.
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 bought a brand new household; children. I’ve bought 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 bought many, many issues. Public talking loads. I’ve bought a boxing health club; I’ve bought a restaurant. I’ve bought numerous companies.
A lot 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 mentioned, “If you need it, I’m in your facet”.
It’s their resolution. Their lives. I’m very proud [of the] the best way they selected a not straightforward life. They may do it the simple approach, however they’ve by no means executed 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 sincere I by no means needed my son to struggle Russians – however he has, and he’s bought, one thing that’s alleged to be in Tim’s arms. His belt. It’s nothing private. However he’s bought one thing that’s alleged to be Tim’s.
I by no means fought Russians. Tim’s Australian, however he’s Russian, and I actually need him to struggle someday in Russia. All of the help he’ll get – he’ll get a lot greater help if he doesn’t struggle Russians. He handles it very properly.
How good a fighter is Tim?
Higher.
Angle, sure. His perspective is totally proper. Not many have gotten that.
Earlier in 2024, Ricky Hatton was inducted into the Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame…
I’m completely happy for him. I’m completely happy, 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. Truly, I do miss it, however on the identical time I’m busy sufficient, and I do loads 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 completely happy – that’s the essential half. I’m not regretting something, and I’m glad with my life. I loved my life.
Did you ever come near returning?
No. My mum – actually, this is a vital message. My mum [Valentina] requested me, “Don’t struggle once more; don’t do that once more – please”, and I mentioned, “Okay”. After that struggle, she mentioned to me, “Please don’t struggle once more”, and I did promise to her that I’d 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 reside 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 boost them.
I do that [get checked] regularly – twice a yr. Absolutely. Coronary heart; every little thing. Checking.
How do you assume Tim handles the strain of being your son?
He handles it very properly. We’ve mentioned this matter – his crew – and I mentioned, “Look, what I did, it doesn’t matter. What you do – this issues. We focus on, 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 now have totally different backgrounds; we now have totally different starvation.
Tim’s doing every little thing – a lot that I’m so pleased with. I feel it’s crucial, when a father is pleased with his son – and I’m… I’ve already mentioned, 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] an important struggle.
We gained’t discuss subsequent, till we end this.
