Tim Tszyu carries the surname of boxing royalty but the Aussie fighter will brush the advice of former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Kostya ahead of his title defence on Sunday.
Kostya Tszyu, born Konstantin Borisovich Tszyu, became a household name in the 1990s at the ‘Thunder from Down Under’, but these days he spends most of his time in Russia.
He will remain on the other side of the world on Sunday when his son Tim (23-0, 17 KOs) defends his WBO super welterweight belt against American Brian Mendoza on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Mendoza is expected to be a stepping stone onto greater things for Tim, with Jermell Charlo still firmly in his sites despite the American previously pulling the pin on their fight.
Tim knows his phone will ring with a Facetime call from his famous father, but told the Hello Sport podcast that he will take that advice with a grain of salt.
Tim Tszyu wants to forge his own reputation in boxing and not ride on his famous surname
Tim’s father Kostya Tszyu was a household name in Australia during the 1990s and was undisputed champion for years
While Kostya Tszyu enjoyed enormous success in the ring, Tim says it is a different era and he wants to handle things his way
Tim admitted he was getting a bit sick of fielding advice from his famous father.
‘Especially the older you get.’ he said.
‘Dad sometimes forgets. I respect what he’s done of course but we’re in a different era now. We do things differently.
‘He says one thing and I’m like, ‘Nah I’m not doing that, I’m going to do it my way’. He’s like ‘Nah man you can’t do it that way’ and I’m like, ‘Man I’m doing it my way’.
‘You haven’t lived here for what 20 years dad, it’s all good man I’ve got it figured, don’t worry about it.
‘Of course I respect his opinion, what he’s gone through and done. He hasn’t been back for a long time.’
Tim Tszyu signs autographs for young fans using the WBO Super Welterweight World Title Belt ahead of his bout against Brian Mendoza
Tim’s brother Nikita is a talented boxer in his own right and Tim wants him to create his own path in the sport as well.
Tim is sure to take his own advice when it comes to his younger brother Nikitia.
He has removed most of the references to Kostya in their gym and limits his advice for Nikita to allow him to develop his own career.
‘I try give him a little bit (of advice) but I don’t want to be like my dad, basically,’ Tim said.
‘So I always put that into consideration. I always just say, ‘You should do this man’. I usually say, ‘This is how I feel better, this is what I do. See how you feel’.’
While Tim’s stance suggests a fractured relationship with his father, he insists he still respects Kostya.
‘I guess dad’s success set an example for us — where we wanted to be and what we wanted to do,’ Tim told Sporting News.
‘It’s everything to have grandpa’s support. He’s never missed any of my fights, even in the amateurs.
‘I just need people that are true to themself and people that are loyal to me and I’m loyal to them.’