Australia’s Tim Tszyu is heading to the United States with a secretive hitlist of five superstar coaches who, he insists, can take him back to the top of world boxing.
The revelation comes as Tszyu has also opened up to Fox Sports Australia about not only his search for a new US coach, or potentially moving to the States fulltime, but how a call from former world champ Danny Green effectively ignited it all.
Elsewhere, The Soul Taker has also spoken about perceived defensive deficiencies in his style, plans to start a family with wife Alexandra, and fears he could have suffered brain damage in his most recent world title loss against Sebastian Fundora.
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Tszyu has also revealed exactly where he was in Japan last month when making the difficult call to split from a team that initially took him all the way to a WBO super welterweight crown, and why he is now partnering up with a new crew headed by Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech.
In a wide-ranging interview, the 30-year-old has also discussed everything from Sumo, Samurai, and sweating for world titles, to why he should never have signed on to face big punching IBF king Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Undeniably, Tszyu’s decision to jet out for America next week, and visit five gyms across three cities to find a new head coach, shapes as one of the most intriguing yarns in Australian sport.
It is also one the fighter insists will take him back to the top of world boxing…
Mate, first off, you’re only days away from heading Stateside for what shapes as the most important chapter of your boxing career. How are you feeling?
“I’m just so excited to have a completely blank canvas. All my life, I’ve always done things the one way. But now I’m about to be introduced to so many new people, new coaching methods, it’s going to be such an eye-opener. I can’t wait to see what works for me.”
We’ve heard your travels, in order, go Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, correct?
“Yep, that’s it. And I’m not planning to fly home until December 1 either, so it gives me about eight weeks to really test out some new gyms, with some new coaches, and see who I gel with.”
Only last week, Jeff Fenech told me he wants you to train with Freddy Roach. Is Manny Pacquiao’s famed head coach one of your stops in LA?
“No, Freddie isn’t one of the guys I’ll be working with. And right now, I don’t really want to reveal any names other than to say I’ve got a list of about five coaches. And every single one of them has had multiple world champions. Each coach is at the top of the game.”
Did you phone the five guys up personally?
“I’ve got people who are connected and working all this out for me. I’ve got my new manager, Darcy Ellis, a matchmaker in Mike Altamura and a couple of other guys helping out. It’s just boxing people doing boxing things for me, which is refreshing.
“No disrespect to anyone, but when I’ve gone to Las Vegas for camps in the past, I’ve only ever worked out of the one gym. So while I’ve spent a s***load of money on those trips, have I really experienced the US? Maybe not.
“Have I trained with different coaches, people who’ve coached world champions or guys who’ve unified divisions? I haven’t. And personally, I feel like this is what I’ve been missing.”
Who handpicked the five coaches, you or your new team?
“The guys gave me a list of about 20 trainers, from which I’ve then picked five. Together, we looked at who is right for me, who is right for my style, and went from there. All up it’s taken a couple of weeks.”
Tim Tszyu, left, fights Sebastian Fundora in a super welterweight title match. Picture: No Limit BoxingSource: News Corp Australia
It’s been suggested this overhaul has all been brewing since your first bloody Sebastian Fundora loss, after which your team copped some fairly heavy criticism.
“After the first Fundora fight there were definitely thoughts there. But it was before that, too. I’d say as far back as leading into the Brian Mendoza fight. Even before Tony Harrison.
“It’s about evolution, right? Initially, my career was continually going up. But then that trajectory stopped. But not for everyone else around me. I could see the other guys in my division still levelling up, and that’s where I got overtaken. So now it’s up to me to work with some new people and learn new things.”
What stopped you from making this decision earlier?
“I guess, there’s just been a real unknown about it all. I’ve had all sorts of questions: ‘What do I do? Where do I go? How will I meet people?’
“For a long time I’ve been asking myself ‘how can I do all this when all I know how to do is fight?’.”
Fair to say you were scared?
“Absolutely I’ve been scared. My old team, they’ve been around since my father’s career. But just this week for example, I’ve trained with a couple of new coaches here in Australia and I’ve learned new things.
“Darcy and Mike have also opened my eyes to how differently things can be done. Like should I have fought two weeks after a dog attacked me? Mike would say ‘no, you’re not fighting’. And you need someone like that because, of course, I’m always willing to fight. That’s what I’m all about. I’m a fighter at heart and will accept any challenge. Don’t give a f***.
“But all I’ve ever done is train, fight, train, fight, train, fight. And I’ve been scared to make any sort of change knowing it would disrupt all that. It’s also why I couldn’t take time to heal. Couldn’t get my s*** together. But how long can anyone do that for?”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 19: Sebastian Fundora (R) reacts after knocking down Tim Tszyu in the first round of their WBC super welterweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden.Source: AFP
You’ve already said publicly that the decision to split from your uncle, and head coach, Igor Goloubev has been one of the toughest of your life. Same deal your longtime manager Glen Jennings. So what finally saw you pull the trigger?
“Straight after my last loss against Sebastian Fundora, Danny Green reached out and told me something that’s really resonated ever since.
“Greeny said ‘mate, think about yourself and your wife’. He basically said to put ourselves first. And as soon as I heard that, I thought ‘yeah, we haven’t been my priority’.”
Why?
“Because I am loyal. And maybe too loyal. But the reality is, nobody cops the brunt of my losses like me and my wife [Alexandra]. What I experience after a world title loss, nobody else does. Not even my team.
“More recently, Jeff Fenech has spoken to me about this. My father, too. Explained how after a loss, everyone else goes back to their lives. But not my wife and I. It’s why this decision isn’t meant as disrespect to anyone. Nothing like that. It’s just about putting her and I first. And taking off by myself to Japan recently, it’s really given me the chance to put some puzzle pieces together.”
Talk us through your time in Japan, and a trip that has brought everything happening now.
“It was just me travelling solo. I’ve always been intrigued by Japan, by the culture, and so after my most recent loss against Fundora I really wanted to take some time for myself. Reflect on things. And given my missus was working, I just went alone. Travelled Japan, explored, visited friends in Tokyo, ran mountain trails, did some boxing training, some MMA …”
You trained MMA?
“Yeah, I went into this gym and a guy there started holding pads for me. He actually asked how many MMA fights I’d had?”
What did you tell him?
“[Laughs] Told him I’d had three amateur bouts. Two wins and a loss. He says ‘f*** you’ve got a big right hand for an amateur’. So that was fun, being completely unknown. Although I did stuff my foot up with all the kicking. Both my shins got so bruised. But it was a great trip. I also went and watched sumo wrestling. Bought a Samurai sword, too.”
A Samurai sword? How much did that set you back?
“About 10 grand.”
Zerafa sparks backstage clash with Tszyu | 01:51
Not cheap?
“[Laughs] I’ve learned there’s no such thing as a cheap Samurai sword. And now that I’ve told you, it also means my missus knows now how much I spent.”
So where were you in Japan when you decided your team, and life, was changing?
“You know what, it actually happened while I was watching Nikita’s fight [in Sydney, against Lulzim Ismaili]. At the time, I was staying near Mt Fuji. I was watching the fight with a couple of guys on a WhatsApp Video.
“We were all watching together and I was really pumped for Nikita. Like with all of his fights, I was just so excited for him. But then at the same time I could see everyone there and it brought up a lot of stuff about how things have been with me. I realised then that it’s not what I want anymore. I want things to be completely different.”
So that’s when you pulled the trigger?
“That’s when I pulled the trigger and the bomb exploded. But look, we’re all through it now and we’re all moving on. And what’s exciting is that even in this past month, I’ve never met so many different people. It’s amazing.
“Previously, I’d come to believe that the small team I had around me were the only people with me. That everyone else was against me. That was the picture of boxing I’d created for myself. That the sport is only filled with sharks. But in reality, there are so many people willing to help.
“So, yes, making the change has been incredibly hard. But it’s also exciting too.”
When it comes to Tim Tszyu, the fighter, one of the biggest criticisms involves your defensive deficiencies, particularly a lack of head movement. Thoughts?
“I agree. And that’s why I’m going to the United States, to change myself as a fighter. To learn, to adapt. And I know that will take time. Just as I know it will take a lot of hard work and sacrifice. But I also know I have the ability. For me, this is all about getting back to the top.”
Another question involves if you’ve been going away from plans devised for you in fights, or if you’ve simply been given the wrong plan?
“I’ve fought the only way I know how to. That’s it. But at the elite level, you need multiple plans. You need A, B, C, D. Plans all the way through to Z. And again, this is why I’m headed to the US. It’s now up to me to work really hard on all this, because it’s what I intend to bring moving forward.”
Tim Tszyu to leave trainer & manager | 01:07
You’ve brought Mike Altamura on as something of a personal matchmaker, who in your team had that role previously?
“My promoter No Limit has always done a crazy amount of work for me, which I appreciate. They’ve always come to me with a large number of options and opportunities. Then it’s been up to me and my management to pick the fights.”
What do you make of those criticizing your decision to rush, after the first Fundora loss, straight into a fight with IBF world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, who remains one of the division’s most avoided men?
“Look, I was offered the fight and said ‘yes’. And you know what? I’ve got no problem with that fight. I’m down for Murtazaliev. And I still believe I could’ve beat him if I was aware of the IBF rehydration clause …”
You weren’t aware of it?
“Not when agreeing to the fight, no. I’d never fought for an IBF title. I just didn’t know. I was only told by my team a few weeks before the fight.
“Yet had I known about that clause, hand on heart, I wouldn’t have accepted that fight. I mean, you want to know why guys like Vergil Ortiz aren’t taking that fight? It’s not because of Murtazaliev. It’s the rehydration clause.”
How seriously were you impacted by that second, fight day weigh-in?
“Usually post weigh-ins, I’m back up around 80kg that night. But for Murtazaliev, I was 74kg. I went to bed hungry. Thirsty. I was struggling. And in boxing, it’s those little things that make a big difference. Especially with weight. You have to get that stuff right.
“But that night before the fight, it really was playing on my mind. Now though, I have Mike Altamura advising me. [Laughs] The guy is a complete boxing nerd. So before signing any deal, he’ll bring me all the information and then ask ‘do we move forward, yes or no’.
“And we’ve already talked through a lot. Like before the second Fundora fight, we had weigh-ins 14 days out, then seven days out. I was in the bath cutting for those. You’ll remember everyone saying ‘oh, f*** Tim looks chiseled already’ – that’s because I was having to make weight. It was to do with the WBC, but when Mike heard about how it all played out he said ‘you did that, really? We could’ve done it so much differently’.”
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 19: Bakhram Murtazaliev walks to the corner after knocking down Tim Tszyu at Caribe Royale Orlando on October 19, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Speaking of the Fundora loss, there’s been plenty of questions about you retiring on the stool, and exactly who made that decision…
“It was my call”.
How did it play out?
“At the end of that seventh round, I was really getting hit. I was rocked, my legs were f***ed and I was in a bad state. Apparently, he was hurt too. I’d hit Fundora with some big shots. But by the end of the round, I’d never felt anything like it.
“I wasn’t good. Nothing was working. There was no game plan. I actually felt if things went on any longer, I was going to get brain damage. So with the round done, I put my hands out and I said ‘I can’t do this anymore’.”
Fenech and others have suggested your corner should’ve taken that bullet – if not making the call for you, then fronting media immediately afterwards to say that they did.
“Look, that’s just the way it is. If no one does that, I’ll put my hand up. It was my call.”
Any thoughts yet on who will be your new cut man moving forward?
“All that stuff depends on the new coach. They’ll be the one who chooses. But of course, I can always call on Mark Gambin. He has always been part of my corner.”
But isn’t Gambin among the five staff you’ve sacked?
“No, that’s all nonsense. These changes, they aren’t even about firing anyone. These guys have all been such a big part of my life. We got to a world title together. And making this decision, it’s been one of the hardest of my life.
“But right now, I’ve only just stepped away from my manager Glen Jennings and coach Igor Goloubev. No one else. Dave Barker is still my Strength & Conditioning coach. I’ve also spoken to Dr Bill [Anseline] – he’s been super supportive – and I’ve explained to Mark how the cut man role will all be up to my next head coach.
“It’s why there is no use saying it will be him right now because everything may change. But I’d have no hesitation in using Mark again. Yes, there was drama in the first Fundora fight. But that fight should’ve been stopped. And if it was stopped, Mark wouldn’t have gone through everything he did.”
Tim has cut ties with Igor Goloubev (second from left) . Picture: SuppliedSource: Getty Images
Will Jeff Fenech be in your corner on fight nights?
“Again, it will all depend on the head coach. Right now, I just want everyone involved with the team to be a master of what they do. I’ll be the boss looking over the crew, but the most important thing will be that everyone just does their job.”
People are whispering of a feud between you and Nikita.
“Look, people are going to try and create a rift because right now, I’m the bad guy apparently. But I caught up with Nikita recently and we had a great chat. We basically said ‘f*** everything else, no matter what we’ll always stick together’. And we will.”
Fair to say you guys share different interests though?
“Oh, we’re completely different. And that’s OK. It’s also why we don’t do everything together. [Laughs] For example, Nikita enjoys hugging trees. I don’t. I like to stay far away from the trees. But again, that’s OK. When we’re together, everything is good.
“Nikita’s my brother. I love the guy to death. And I’ll always stick by him. You’ve seen me at his fights previously, and I was exactly like that even watching from Japan. Because the love I have for Nikita, it’s got nothing to do with anyone but me and him.”
So as for everything now coming for you personally?
“I’m my own boss now, which is something I’ve been dreaming about my entire life. Especially after growing up as the father figure in our family home. When my dad left for Russia, I became the man of the house at a really young age. And my family, they relied on me. Nikita followed what I did. I’ve felt that responsibility for a long time.
“But now I have the chance to do things a little differently, express myself more. For a long time I’ve just been the fighter. It’s been fight, after fight, after fight. I haven’t done anything else. And for that, there’s just been so much sacrifice. I haven’t even had time to think about having kids because of it all.”
Wait, so you want to start planning for Tszyu 3.0? When?
“[Laughs] Whenever they pop out I guess. But this whole next phase of my life, it’s exciting. For the first time, I’m going to be doing things differently. Not just with my boxing, either. But with my press conferences, my weigh ins, my walkouts … even what I do with my fight trunks.
“I love it. I get to do things the way I want. Which is why right now, I’ve never been more excited to fight. I’ve headlined T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fought at the MGM Grand. But nothing compares to how excited I feel about this next fight.”
Is it true you want to fight again in December?
“I haven’t locked anything in yet. And that’s because I don’t want the pressure of a timeline. This trip to the States, it isn’t a fight camp. It’s all about finding a coach who I can gel with. And once that happens, we’ll then work out the next steps.”
What chance you’ll love this trip so much that you move Stateside for this next phase of your career?
“Potentially, yeah, I could. I’ve always hated my American trips previously, but that’s because it has always been the same old s***. But if I find something there and fall in love? It’s definitely a chance. And I think if there is ever going to be a time where I fall in love with the US, it’s now.”
How does Alexandra feel?
“Ah, sometimes I just make the decisions without her knowing, then deal with the aftermath.”
Like fessing up to the fact you spent $10,000 on a Samurai sword?
“Yeah, I dunno what she’ll say about that one. Especially because we’ve been talking for a while now about saving some money. But what can you say, man … it’s a Samurai sword.”