Tim Tszyu doubts whether his legendary father will be ringside for the biggest fight of his career yet, the Australian megastar has revealed.
Tim told reporters ahead of his March 12 bout against the USA’s Tony Harrison that Kostya could miss the fight because of a family situation.
Former world champion Kostya was set to complete the ringwalk with Tim for his scheduled bout against Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas in January, but the encounter was canned when the American broke his left hand while sparring.
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It was expected that Kostya would be at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena for his eldest son’s world title shot against Harrison, breaking a drought that stretches back to the younger Tszyu’s professional debut.
But Tim couldn’t be sure when pressed 12 days out from his first title fight.
“Not sure, man, not sure,” Tim said.
“My little sister’s just a little bit sick right now, so I think he’s looking after her at the moment.
“So we’ll see how it pans out.”
Kostya hasn’t seen Tim fight in the flesh since he debuted against Zorran Cassady at the SCG in 2016.
He boarded a flight from Russia, where he lives, and not only surprised Tim with his arrival in Sydney but by sitting ringside.
Tim won the fight via unanimous decision but was irked by his dad, who couldn’t contain his emotion in the front row and unwittingly distracted his son.
Tim spilled on what his dad had told him during the build-up to his fight against Harrison, who touched down in Sydney on Tuesday morning.
“Just to be smart, try not get hit too much,” Tim said.
“Just the usual. That’s it.
“Boxing’s quite simple, man: hit your opponent more than he hits you.”
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