Twenty years after their father, Kostya, fought for the last time as a professional, the Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita, are preparing to breathe life into their respective careers this summer.
For Tim, the older of the two, that means a rematch with Sebastian Fundora, the lanky American who handed Tim his first loss, in Las Vegas on July 20. For Nikita, on the other hand, a fight on August 20 carries significance purely on the basis that it will be his first for 12 months; the result of a frustrating hand injury.
Both Tszyus know the importance of their next fight and both were keen to stress the importance during a recent media workout at Tszyu Fight Club in Rockdale, Sydney. There, Tim was preparing for his fight with Fundora, ahead of then flying to the US on July 4 to acclimatize, while Nikita, now a father, was right alongside him, happy just to be punching again.
“I’m a more mature, more comfortable-in-his-own-skin fighter — not just as a fighter, but as a person — and it’s a whole different feeling compared to last time,” said Tim, whose defeat to Fundora in 2024 led to him losing his WBO super-welterweight belt. “The last time I had momentum. This time around, I feel like I’ve got the momentum back — and I’ve got more to prove. And the fact that when I rewrite this chapter, it’s gonna be one hell of a story.
“That’s the leading motivation right there. It’s not really about proving it to anyone — not to the fans, not even to the US audience. It’s just proving it in my story. The US fight fans, they know. They understand what I’m all about. I bring the action and all of that stuff. But for me, it’s about the story.”
The story and plot twists of the first fight between Tszyu and Fundora are worth noting when trying to predict what will happen in the sequel. After all, many of the problems Tszyu encountered in that loss had as much to do with the ghastly cut he picked up early as the dimensions and skill of Fundora. The two combined to ruin Tszyu’s plans and deal him his first loss, but it was a loss that deserves to be placed in its proper context.
“[On the first Fundora fight] We both know a lot about each other,” said Tszyu, 30. “We both went to life and death together there, you know. It wasn’t a one-way road for him. He was copping a few shots as well. It’s a game of strategy. We both come back, we both know each other, and it’s who does the homework better — and this is it. Everything’s life and death in this sport, you know; ‘kill or be killed.’
“I think there’s no such thing as a successful story without failures. A couple of bumps on the road doesn’t mean you’re completely out. But this year is gonna be like a vengeance year. That’s the word for me. It started with Joey Spencer [stopped by Tszyu in April] — and it’s gonna keep on going. Keep on rolling.”
Tszyu, 25-2 (18), added: “There’s been a whole different feeling in this camp. I’ve literally paused everything in my life — all the external noise — and just gone tunnel vision. And when you have that, it’s an unbelievable feeling. Because when you’re so obsessed with reaching a certain goal, that’s all there is in this life for me.”
As for Nikita’s story, context is just as important. It is important in respect of his recent time away from the ring – the result of the aforementioned hand injury – and it is important when discussing what motivates him now that he has returned. For if Nikita’s motivation once stemmed from his family name, his personal ambitions, and a desire for greatness, now he has other things – other people, no less – to think about whenever he prepares for a fight.
“[Becoming a father] I think it’s changed me – or at least it should,” said Nikita, 10-0 (8). “I guess I’ll find out in those dark moments, how my brain reacts.
"Finally [on August 20], I get to put my training to use. I’ve only had two sparring sessions in the last year. I don’t really know what to expect yet – hopefully it’s good. The hand felt great yesterday in sparring. This morning it hurt a little, but it wasn’t the worst. Compared to back in March when I really busted it up again, it’s a big difference. Punching? A couple of months. Hard surfaces, like the heavy bag, maybe a month. I’ve been going quite hard on it lately. I’ve had a long year with a lot of reflection about how I want to conduct myself. I’m going to try and be an adult... we’ll see how long that lasts.”
Of course, Nikita, when he needs it, doesn’t have to look far for inspiration. He can either look back and remind himself of all his father, a light-welterweight great, achieved in the ring, or he can look to his left or to his right and find Tim, his world champion brother, standing right there. Whichever way he turns, he knows what it means to reach the top and, more importantly, he knows what it takes to get there.
“[I’ve heard they’re trying to plan a fight with Michael Zerafa for later this year] I think it’d be a great test for me – a great way to catapult my career,” said the 27-year-old. “He’s a very well-respected fighter, and it’d be a big challenge and a big stepping stone. I’m not going to say I’m at his level. I haven’t proven myself yet. I’ve had 10 fights – he’s had what, over 30 or something? He’s very experienced; he’s fought overseas. I’d be the underdog in that fight – no doubt – and I’m okay with that.
“If there is [tension with Zerafa], I couldn’t care. He’s said stuff in the past – so have I. I say stupid shit all the time. Things I don’t really mean. If he meant it, good on him. I don’t care. It’d be similar to the Dylan Biggs fight. No Limit kind of put me forward as the favourite, but I knew I was the underdog. We’d had a sparring session before and he gave me a hiding. So there was a lot for me to prove to myself in that fight. And this one, it’s not the same, but it’s similar – where I’ve got to be screwed on tight and bring my best.”
