Top Naija News: Nigerian News, Breaking News Nigeria and World News Top Naija News is a daily news publication in Nigeria, delivering the latest breaking news in Nigeria and around the world.
Tim Tszyu has revealed his iconic father Kostya will attend the undefeated super-welterweight’s world title fight against Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas.
As the Australian puts himself through an intense training camp in Los Angeles ahead of his move to Vegas closer to the fight on January 29, Tszyu confirmed his father will be at a fight of his for the first time since Tszyu’s professional debut six years ago.
If Tim can pull off the upset, he and Kostya will become the first father-son pair of undisputed world champions in boxing history.
READ MORE: Kyrgios’ major schedule flip at girlfriend’s request
READ MORE: Record shattered as Ash Barty wins special gong
READ MORE: ‘Shocking decision’ turns epic Test match on its head
Kostya will walk to the ring with Tszyu, brother Nikita and grandfather Boris — the family patriarch – on his ringwalk, the challenger declared.
But Tim insists his father will only be there on fight week to provide moral support and advice unlike his professional debut in 2016, where the 28-year-old described the mood as intense when Kostya attended his first bout against Zorran Cassady in Sydney.
The former world champion has not attended a fight since, keeping tabs on his son’s career from Russia while Tim has flourished under the guidance of his trainer-uncle Igor Goloubev on his way to an undefeated 21-0 record.
“I will speak to dad but at the same time, he knows and respects that I am a man now,” Tszyu said during his training camp in Los Angeles.
“Going in to my first fight, I was 21. So I was only a little kid then.
“He respects Igor. People ask me does your dad give you advice. But my dad gives me life advice and that’s what’s needed.
“He’s not my boxing coach. Igor’s my boxing coach and Igor started with me since the day I started boxing, so since when I was young.
“Igor was the one on the pads, Igor was the one building me and moulding me. So the credit belongs to that man.
“I can always call my dad and ask him for little advice but it’s not technical boxing.”
Goloubev was Kostya’s coach when he claimed his first title in his 14th professional bout, defeating Jake Rodriguez at the MGM Grand in 1995. The star’s uncle and his personal chef Omar Iferd are the only members of Tszyu’s entourage that are in Los Angeles.
Like Kostya, Tszyu’s grandfather Boris also will not fly to the US until fight week. Tim believes that Kostya will not overplay his hand once the big week arrives.
“But I think he’s more aware and he knows that I’m not a child anymore,” the 28-year-old said.
“Back then (pro debut), he thought I was his little son still.
“The time that’s happened now, six years since my first fight, it’s clearly different.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
