'He'll hear me in his heart' says Kostya Tszyu ahead of Tim's showdown with Dennis Hogan

Brendan Bradford

'He'll hear me in his heart' says Kostya Tszyu ahead of Tim's showdown with Dennis Hogan image

He might not be there in person, but Kostya Tszyu says Tim will feel him “in his heart” when he steps into the ring against Dennis Hogan in Newcastle on Wednesday night.

After surprising Tim ahead of his professional debut in 2016, Tszyu Snr has been officially banned from attending any of his fights.

“He was a nightmare – a pain in the ass!” Tszyu told Sporting News about Kostya’s presence at ringside that night.

To say the former super-lightweight kingpin was loud is an understatement. He was “out of control” says Tim.

“That was the last time. I love my dad’s support and I respect him, but it was a bit difficult.

“Maybe next time I’ll give him one of those suites far away and he can watch with binoculars.”

Now living in Moscow, Kostya hasn’t been back in the corner, but says the nervous energy he feels is still as bad as it was that first fight.  

“The problem for me, is I’m very nervous already. I can’t help myself – it’s difficult,” Kostya said in a Zoom call with Sporting News and Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings this week.

“I will learn to control myself better.

“He will hear me from a long distance – we have a great bond with each other.

“He’s going to hear from a long distance. I’m in Moscow, he’s there, but he’ll hear me in his heart.”

One of the most dedicated and intense trainers the boxing world has ever seen, Kostya's nervousness stems from the feeling of not being in control.

“I was able to control myself while I was fighting – I know what I’ve done in training,” he said.

“I knew the preparation I’d had. That gave me the confidence to do what I do.

“But I haven’t seen the preparation, and I can’t help him.”

Now 51, Kostya still sports his signature rattail, and can rest assured Tim inherited the same commitment to training he had. Like his old man, the kid is a beast.

"I sent him and Alex (Tim's girlfriend) on a holiday to Port Douglas after a win last year," Jennings tells Sporting News

"They checked into the hotel, Alex went to the room and Tim went to the gym. He trained every day he was up there too. That's just him." 

A win on Wednesday will propel Tim towards even bigger fights on the world stage, and Kostya says Hogan is the right opponent at the right time.

“To be great, you need to fight against great fighters,” he said.  

Tszyu-Hogan available on Main Event, KAYO and Foxtel. You don't need to be a KAYO subscriber to buy, it is available as a one-off purchase.

“The next step for Tim is to fight someone like Dennis. He’s a great fighter. He’s not easy. If he wants to achieve big goals, he has to fight good fighters. He’s not easy – I love it.

“What I’ve seen, (Tim) is still hungry, which is great. He’s hungry for success and he’s going to be ready.

“When he feels he’s ready, he’ll fight for the world title.

“I’m really happy with one thing: he’s so focused, he never takes anything for granted. He trains hard.

“He’s seen what it takes to be a world champion. He’s able to do it himself, by himself.”

No stranger to wars in the ring, Kostya knows Tim will be tested when he moves up the rankings and fights for world titles. But for now, he wants his son to finish things as quickly and as safely as he can.

“From my side, it’s better as quick as possible, but he has to enjoy himself,” he said.

“It’s something that will take some time. He will probably rush to finish the fight, but he’ll take time when he starts enjoying himself, slowly destroying his opponents.”

Tszyu-Hogan is only available on Main Event - watch on KAYO or Foxtel. You don't need to be a KAYO subscriber to buy, it is available as a one-off purchase.

 

Brendan Bradford