Tim Tszyu’s undisputed world title fight in January will also serve as a reunion with father Kostya.
The Australian boxer, set to clash with champion Jermell Charlo for all four super-welterweight belts in Las Vegas, hasn’t seen the former undisputed super-lightweight champion for almost three years.
Russia-based Kostya has watched from afar as his son dismantled Jeff Horn in 2020 then pushed to mandatory challenger status on the back of a perfect 21-0 record.
Speaking to reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday, the 27-year-old revealed his father would make the trip to the United States, where he says victory over the champion would be just “the beginning”.
“It’ll be good to see my dad; he’ll be at the fight, it’s a big one,” Tszyu said.
“I haven’t seen him for a long time, since the pandemic (began in 2020); it’ll be good to see him and of course get a few tips.”
Don’t expect his dad to be in his corner though.
“All the way at the back, that’s where he’s sitting, so I can’t hear him,” Tim laughed.
Tszyu said the 10-month wait between fights would work in his favour after surgery to repair torn tendons in both hands in May.
He’s been back in the ring throwing punches for two months already and doctors have cleared him to return to full sparring soon.
“All the stars have aligned .. if it wasn’t for my hands it would have been a really, really long wait,” he said.
“As soon as I touched the bag I was like ‘man it’s never going to be the same’ … I had concerns, but now I’m feeling good.
“I’m not sparring yet but I am going hard. It’s the only way to do it.
“I hope he’s (Charlo) going to start soon too, I hope he’s not on vacation.”
Tszyu is a betting outsider to upset Charlo (35-1-1) but says he’s heard it all before.
“Look man, it’s not going to be a shock in my eyes,” Tszyu said.
“He’s the one that should be worried.
“It was the same mentality for the Horn fight; everyone was like ‘is he ready, is it too early for him?’.
“That fight was a walk in the park for me and I think this is going to be a repeat.”
Tszyu will rent a house near the Las Vegas strip for two months, arriving in December well ahead of the fight.
He also revealed plans to move up a weight class next year, but not before defending the belts he intends to secure in January.
“This isn’t just a world title; this is four belts. (It) couldn’t be any better,” he said.
“Of course (I’m confident); this fight’s the beginning.”