Nikita Tszyu reveals boxing advice from his famous father Kostya as he faces toughest test of career
- Nikita Tszyu Reveals Message From Hall of Fame Father
- Tszyu says the advice ‘got stuck in his head’
- Tszyu takes on Sydneysider Koen Mazoudier
Australian fighter Nikita Tszyu has revealed what advice his famous father Kostya gave him ahead of his fight with Koen Mazoudier on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old Tszyu faces his toughest test yet against the dangerous Sydneysider at the ICC Theatre – and he is looking to remain unbeaten.
If he emerges victorious, Tszyu will secure a spot in the world’s top 15 rankings and the IBF Australasian and WBO intercontinental super welterweight titles.
Drawing inspiration from his father Kostya’s illustrious boxing career, Nikita has been given some simple but potentially crucial advice as ‘The Butcher’ chases a place in the world rankings.
Kostya Tszyu won multiple world championships at light welterweight, including the WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
Tszyu is known for his devastating punching power and technical skills, and has an impressive record of 31 wins, 25 of which were by knockout.
His career is marked by memorable victories over famous opponents including Julio César Chávez, Zab Judah and Ricky Hatton, cementing his reputation as one of the best light welterweight boxers of all time.
“One of the biggest changes was my dad saying, ‘Not every punch has to be a knockout,’” Tszyu said News Corp.
Nikita Tszyu (pictured) has revealed the advice his father Kostya gave him ahead of his fight with Koen Mazoudier
Kostya Tszyu (pictured) told his son that ‘not every punch has to be a knockout’
‘When he said that, it all clicked. How could I not have thought of that?
“When I look back at all my other fights, I feel like a real amateur because I always go for that big thing.”
If Tszyu loses for the first time in his career, Mazoudier will claim the IBF Australasian and WBO intercontinental super welterweight titles.
And the left-handed boxer with powerful punches is not going to let that happen.
“I see every fight, honestly, as a new step,” Tszyu told AAP.
“This step is a bigger step than the others, because it gives me a higher rank in international organizations, but it is still a step. We are on the right path and so far it is going well.
In his prime, Kostya Tszyu was a formidable boxer and won several light-welterweight titles
Tszyu (pictured with Nikita and Tim) retired 19 years ago and is widely regarded as one of Australia’s best boxers
Tszyu faces Koen Mazoudier on Wednesday for the toughest test of his career
“I hope it will be the toughest (match) because I really believe it will bring out the best version of him and it will bring out the best version of myself.”
Tszyu says he has worked hard to ensure his sometimes questionable defence is as good as his much-vaunted attack throughout the 10-round bout.
“That’s what I’ve been really focused on in this camp,” Tszyu said.
‘I always try to prepare myself for the distance.
“You always want to prepare for the worst case scenario and I always prepare for the worst possible fight, but if the opportunity arises to stop it (early), I’ll go for it. But you never really plan for it.”
Also on Wednesday night, Ireland’s Connor Wallace and New Zealander Jerome Pampellone battle in an IBF light heavyweight world title eliminator, while Tszyu’s old rival Michael Zerafa and Tommy Browne fight in the co-main event.