Jeff Fenech can still feel the power Kostya Tszyu once carried in his famed fists.
“Oh, yeah,” the Hall of Famer grins, his mind drifting back to those good ‘ol days at Newtown Police Boys Club. “I sparred Kostya, trained with Kostya…”
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And then, the kicker.
“This kid here,” he says, nodding across the room to Tim Tszyu, “he’s punching every bit as hard as his dad”.
Which is some statement, right?
Especially when you recall, say, Zab Judah doing the stanky leg. Or Julio Ceasar Chavev being stopped for only the second time in his career by that ponytailed assassin dubbed The Thunder From Down Under.
Yet now on the eve of Sunday’s blockbuster showdown with American superstar Errol Spence Jnr, Fenech insists ‘The Phoenix’ is not only punching as hard as he once felt from the old man, but will use said power as part of the greatest ever version of himself.
“And, look, I don’t like bringing up Kostya,” Fenech continues, speaking with Fox Sports Australia during Wednesday’s media day at the fighter hotel. “But what I’m trying to tell you is this: Timmy Tszyu can really punch.”
Kostya Tszyu lands a punch on American “Jesse” James Leija during the WBC WBA IBF 140 pound World title fight in Melbourne, Australia. (AP Photo/Steve Holland)Source: APTim Tszyu connects with a punch against Brian Mendoza during the WBO super-welterweight world title bout between Tim Tszyu and Brian Mendoza at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on October 15, 2023 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Only four days out from what will be a sold out Sydney headliner, Fenech has opened up on the changes he and Tszyu have made in eight weeks together.
Which is among the biggest stories of fight week.
Understanding that after having dumped not one, but two coaches since September last year – both uncle Igor Goloubev and then Cuban Pedro Diaz – Tszyu has now aligned with the man whose previous clients have included the likes of Mike Tyson, Danny Green, Sakio Bika, and Vic Darchinyan.
Already, there has been plenty of debate around exactly what Fenech’s presence will mean for the former world champion, with plenty questioning if Tszyu will be asked to adopt the same aggressive, inside fighting style that made the Marrickville Mauler a four-division king.
“Absolutely not,” Fenech says now when that question is put. “My only goal is to bring out the best fighting version of Tim Tszyu.
“Because until now, Tim is a fighter who has done everything on his own. And done it in the hardest of ways.
“I mean, the people in his corner previously have known nothing about the sport. And still, he’s become a world champion anyway.
“He used to go back to his corner between rounds and there wasn’t a word about what he should or shouldn’t be doing.
“The kid just went out there and fought.
“Yet now when he comes back to the corner? He’ll breathe, then be told what’s needed next. And when you’ve got the ability Tim has, it will make things so much easier.
“And, yeah, I know in the past I’ve called [Tszyu’s old team] clowns and whatever. Which at the time, may have upset Tim.
“But he realizes now that what I was saying, it was never to hurt anyone. He understands that my only concern ever has been helping him.”
Tszyu permanently moves to middleweight | 01:07
Asked what had taken place in previous camps that he needed to overhaul, Fenech continues: “Look, I don’t want to talk about any of that.
“But this has been a training camp, not a concentration camp. And Tim has changed immensely … this is a completely different kid from the one who first walked into the gym on day one.”
One man excited to see the Fenech influence on Tszyu is popular American analyst, and former world champion, Paulie Malignaggi.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Malignaggi suggested more than making changes to Tszyu’s fight style, the greatest impact the Hall of Famer has will be on the mindset, and confidence, of his fighter.
“Because you look at Tim Tszyu’s most recent fight against Denis Nurja,” Malinaggi says, referencing what was an April decision win. “In that contest, Tim was clearly superior and could’ve looked to go get it. Could’ve upped things a little more.
“But he never did.
“And that’s where I think Fenech comes in. Because, yeah, there are going to be some technical things he brings to his game against Errol Spence.
“But when I look at Fenech as a fighter, as a person, I think the biggest difference he makes with Tszyu might just be the mental toughness, the mental warfare, even that gamesmanship Fenech always seems to carry.
“Certainly, Jeff had that as a fighter.
“And with everything I have seen from Tim recently, that’s the one thing I would like to see more. Having that seek ‘n destroy mindset.
“And I’ll be shocked if Fenech doesn’t bring a Tszyu who attempts that.”
And as for what Fenech himself makes of those questions about Tszyu adopting his famed inside fighting style?
“It’s not about fighting on the inside,” Fenech says simply. “It’s about where Tim finishes with his punches, and then being in a position to punch again.
“Because how many fights have we seen Tim hit someone – one, two – and then, when they’re just about gone, he stops?
“So, no, I’m not teaching him to be Jeff Fenech. I’m teaching him to punch naturally.
“And when your body is in the right position, that becomes your mindset. I’m trying to ensure that with Tim there is a second attack, then a third attack.
“I mean, why would you punch someone three times in the face and jump back? That lets them recover, lets them see where I am.
“So I’m trying to get Tim into those positions where punching someone three times, becomes six times, then twelve times.”
Tszyu v Spence Jr. – Tense Face-Off | 03:21
Fenech also insists Tszyu already has the gas tank required for such assaults.
“If anything, Tim has been training too much,” the Hall of Famer continues. “But for this one, I want him arriving into the fight with energy.
“Same as one of the things we’ve really been working hard on is fighting for all three minutes of a round.
“Not 90 seconds, then letting your rival off.”
Elsewhere, Fenech says real change is also taking place outside the ring.
“I’ve known Tim since birth,” he explains.
“So the first thing I brought him was somebody who has his back 24 hours a day. This means he doesn’t have to talk with anyone about anything. Or argue with anyone anymore.
“Any of that, and Tim knows just send ‘em to me. That’s lifted a weight from his shoulders.”
So as for what impact you can have on a fighter in eight weeks?
“Look, you can’t change everything,” Fenech concedes. “But some of the stuff I’ve seen this camp, my goodness.
“Plus, my main job has been getting him mentally prepared.
“When it comes to the physical stuff, Tim Tszyu already trains incredibly hard.
“So the first few weeks were all about the mental side. And while we’re still training our backsides off, we’re also now ensuring that Tim is happy every day.
“We’re having a laugh in camp, going to dinner, we’ve even got his granddad Boris laughing his head off. It’s really good.”
Then after a short pause, Fenech goes again.
“I’m confident Tim Tszyu will be a different fighter this Sunday,” he says. “Not crazily different, but he doesn’t need to be.
“But some of the things he’s been doing behind the scenes, I’m really confident Australia is about to see the greatest version of Tim Tszyu ever.”