LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Kostya Tszyu will be in Las Vegas for the biggest fight of his son’s career.
Fox Sports Australia can reveal Australia’s WBO super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu will have dad ringside when he looks to unify against Sebastian Fundora at T Mobile Arena this Sunday.
It will be only the second time his Hall of Fame father has watched his fights live.
It comes as ‘The Soul Taker’ readies to not only unify a division just like his father did – with both the WBO and WBC belts up for grabs – but also become the first Australian-born fighter in history to headline a US Pay-Per-View.
BOXING: Tszyu v Fundora + Zerafa v Lara LIVE from Las Vegas | SUN 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know ahead of Tszyu vs Fundora
Tim’s unbelievable face-off with Fundora | 00:55
The feat is one not even Tszyu Snr or Jeff Fenech achieved in their own storied careers.
Exactly where Kostya watches the fight from, however, remains to be determined – especially given how his first time watching live went.
Speaking previously with Fox Sports Australia, Tim has also suggested he will need to “have a chat” with the old man about what is now expected on fight night.
Way back in 2016, Kostya surprised his eldest son – who he had not seen in four years — by flying into Sydney the day before his professional debut against Zorran Cassady.
While the fighter would win his six rounder, he would later describe his father’s presence ringside as “chaotic”.
“My dad is a hard man, especially when he comes to watch my fights,” Tszyu said.
“He’s only watched one of my fights and let me say it was … chaotic.
“My first pro fight. It was chaotic.
“It was hard to deal with.
“Just out of control.
“Because he’s a control freak, it’s hard for him to watch someone he loves fight in the ring.”
Tszyu Senior was also going to walk his son to the ring for his hyped 2023 showdown against undisputed super welterweight king Jermell Charlo.
However, the American busted his hand only months out from the fight before then stepping up in weight to face Canelo Alvarez, and has not been sighted since.
Asked during preparations for Charlo if he was concerned about having the old man back in his corner, Tszyu laughed: “A little bit.
“But before it all happens we’re going to have a chat.
“Because the last time my dad saw me fight, I was a boy.
BOXING: Tszyu v Fundora + Zerafa v Lara LIVE from Las Vegas | SUN 31 MAR 11AM AEDT | Exclusive to Main Event, order on Kayo Sports. No Kayo subscription needed.
Fundora shows no concerns for Tszyu | 01:40
“Now though, it’s completely different.
“I’m my own man.
“And what I’ve done to get into this position, it’s been all on my own.”
Importantly, the fighter added that his father, who remarried and returned to Russia when his boys were still young, now understood all this.
“And respects it,” he said.
“Before, dad always saw me as his little boy.
“But not anymore.”
Early last year, there was also talk of ‘The Thunder From Down Under’ returning to Australia for his son’s interim title fight against American Tony Harrison.
However, that also never eventuated because of a personal drama.
Speaking at the time, Tszyu revealed that while his dad wanted to attend the Qudos Arena blockbuster, he would instead be staying home to look after his young daughter who was ill.
Kostya Tszyu fought five times in Las Vegas, including his famed 2001 KO of Zab Judah.
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