Kostya Tszyu, they say, was such a profuse sweater in his fighting prime, the ponytailed world champ would quite literally pour perspiration from his boots after training.
“Just stand there by the ring,” great mate Glen Jennings recalls, “emptying each one out. Honestly, the amount of liquid he’d pour from those boots… it was mind-boggling”.
Unfortunately for youngest son Nikita, he’s adopted that same sweat gene.
Adopted plenty more from dad, too.
But first, you need to know about the sweat.
Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Understanding it goes some way to explaining the incredibly painful blisters that, secretly, Tszyu has battled right throughout his hyped rise.
And by battled, we mean Tszyu carries a surgical kit everywhere inside his gym bag.
Allowing ‘The Butcher’, when required, to take a scalpel to said welts — particularly on his left foot — after sparring or intense physical workouts.
With the fighter, more times than he can count, slicing deep to release what, at one time, were four layers of blood, puss and ooze.
But this camp?
The blisters on Tszyu’s left foot have gone.
“Which intrigues me,” the fighter says with a grin.
Intrigues us, too.
And, truly, may just be the real story behind his ongoing rise and rise.
One that only four years after emerging from the anonymity of an architecture degree, and after some time out of the sport, suddenly sees him on the cusp of world titles, American debuts, even mega paydays.
Oh, yeah, this big punching southpaw also has no less than Danny Green comparing his power — and killer instinct — to that of his Hall of Fame father.
So now on the eve of Wednesday night’s hyped IBF world title eliminator against Ben Mahoney, Fox Sports Australia is digging into the explosion of this most peculiar puncher — looking at how he got where, who might be next, where … and how the answer to it all may lay in those disappearing blisters.
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH TSZYU’S FEET?
Nikita Tszyu, on this particular Wednesday morning after training, is sat on the ring apron inside an old Sylvania church.
One long since converted into Doyle’s Boxing Club, where the younger Tszyu sibling now trains under the watchful eye of his longtime coach and uncle, Igor Goloubev.
And after talking through Mahoney — specifically, how the unbeaten Gold Coast native is the toughest test of his career, and that last domino to fall before cleaning out the domestic scene — the topic of his continuing his transformation is discussed.
Forget the snake’s blood and bull testicles.
What we want to know is how Tszyu has really gone from young berserker to title contender in the space of four years.
And so, immediately, the fighter removes a slide from that left foot.
Explaining as he goes how the left leg, of course, is also from where all his famed power is generated.
“And look at this,” he says pointing to a small skin tear beneath his big toe. “Previously by now, this would be a f***ing massive blister. A ball, filled with blood and puss.
“It’s why I carry a surgical kit with me everywhere.
Nikita Tszyu speaks on Mahoney clash | 03:18
“Ever since my amateur days, I’ve had issues with blisters on this foot. It actually got so bad they were really hampering me and I’d have to slice the foot open.
“Podiatrists were suggesting I not put so much pressure on the foot. I was like ‘well, how do I f***ing do that [and fight]?’
“So instead, after cutting the wound open, I’d spray all around it with alcohol to try and dry things as much as possible. I’d also use Voltarien cream to remove the inflammation.
“But then three weeks ago, I was working away in camp and suddenly thought ‘wow, I haven’t done any surgeries on my foot for a while now …’.”
And the reason?
“It’s to do with the way I’m now moving in the ring,” Tszyu says, pointing to a range of style improvements under Goloubev. “And the way my feet are touching the floor.
“It’s about my balance, being lighter on my feet, not being so aggressive with everything. It’s about being smoother.”
Tszyu’s manager Jennings agrees.
“Past two fights, I’ve seen something really special in the improvements Nikita has made,” he says. “They’ve told me this young fella is well on his way to being the complete fighter.
“Obviously you don’t run around saying too much about all this. Because while we feel really good about where he is at, there is still work to be done.”
THE BODY OVERHAUL
Elsewhere, Jennings reveals how Tszyu is also now working closely with an elite Sydney physiotherapist, who is also helping the unbeaten prospect understand how best to use a body that, unsubtly, the expert likens to “a brick s***house”.
“The physio says Nikita is so solid, so thick through his body, it’s actually detrimental to him,” Jennings continues. “So together, they’ve worked hard on improving his balance, his stance, all of those things.
“They’re straightening him up, sorting him out … and that’s why, right now, I don’t really see a ceiling on Nikita’s potential”.
Pushed on the changes now being made, Jennings continues: “First and foremost, Nikita is brutal.
“He’ll do whatever is required to hurt you, and put you away.
“But particularly over his two most recent fights, we’ve seen some significant changes around offense, defence, head movement, timing, balance, all those things.
“He’s more composed now. More patient.
“But of course he still has the brutality and killer instinct … and God help anyone when that comes into play.”.
“THAT’S WHEN I SEE HIS FATHER IN HIM …”
Like Jennings, Australian boxing great Danny Green also admits to having no idea where Tszyu’s ceiling might be.
“Nikita Tszyu is a blank canvas,” the retired world champ told us Sunday evening, shortly before going on air for Main Event’s coverage of the Tszyu-Mahoney grand arrivals on the Gold Coast.
“Honestly, he’s nowhere near his potential.
“And as he continues to step up against better opposition, and continues to get put under different types of pressure, we’re going to see that start to come out. I definitely believe he’s got the attributes to become a world champion.”
Importantly, Green says Tszyu’s punches are also yet to peak.
“He’s nowhere near his power potential,” says the man who famously KO’d American superstar Roy Jones Jnr. “And he’s also still learning the most opportune times to put the pedal down.”
Tszyu v Mahoney | Wednesday August 26 from 7pm AEST | The only thing standing between Nikita and an IBF world title shot is Ben Mahoney. The stage is set for an All-Australian blockbuster with the winner securing a direct shot at IBF champion, Josh Kelly. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Then, the kicker.
“Without doubt I see similarities with his father’s fight style,” Green says.
“Especially when Nikita gets an opponent hurt, when he senses that blood in the water, that’s when I see his father in him.
“That ruthlessness.”
Soon after, Green continues: “Right now, Nikita’s power still gets him into trouble — then gets him out of it.
“[Laughs] It’s the best.
“He’s also got great fight IQ. He’s instinctive. And, of course, the genetics … Nikita Tszyu is doing what he was born to do.”
THE TYSON FURY FACTOR
Apart from going unbeaten through 13 fights, Tszyu also brings a character that has made headlines thanks to breast milk, Cobra blood, and some of the most brutally honest interviews in the sport.
Speak with Jennings, and he likens The Butcher’s personality to that of UK megastar Tyson Fury — just minus the in ring renditions of American Pie.
“Because Nikita Tszyu is real,” the manager says. “And you’ve seen it first hand. Nikita isn’t playing a character, or trying to be a social media influencer.
“And Australian sports fans love that.
“For his most recent fight against Oscar Diaz, we loaded every piece of merchandise available and took it over to the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on fight day — then sold out within two hours.
“And I mean everything was gone.
Romero v Lopez full highlights | 02:55
“It’s amazing. We’ve just done a rerun on his latest shirts but the orders keep on rolling in …”
Soon after, Jennings continues: “It’s important to be a great fighter, but also an entertainer, a great character
“Look at Tyson Fury — everything you need to do in the fight game, he does it.
“And I think Nikita Tszyu has that ability, too.
“Right now, you could argue the guy is Australia’s most popular fighter, and also our most exciting.”
Australian world champ Liam Paro agrees, saying he also boasts a style that fight fans love.
“Nikita’s a fighter,” says Paro, who is also on the Gold Coast for fight week. “A guy who is willing to take risks.
“And we’ve said that already. When Nikita’s been dropped, he gets straight back up and goes. He doesn’t shrink into his shell. He’s a true warrior who leaves it all out there.
“True dynamite in both hands. He’s got that mongrel. Just loves to fight.”
WHAT’S NEXT WITH VICTORY OVER MAHONEY?
While Wednesday night’s fight is being billed as an eliminator for IBF super welterweight champ Josh Kelly, Tszyu is not expected to face the Englishman next up – but could instead make his US debut against a former world champ like Keith Thurman or Tony Harrison.
Both Americans also have their own histories with Nikita’s older brother, former world champion Tim, which would only add to the storyline of either bout.
Thurman and Harrison have also confirmed their interest in the fight, with the former telling Fox Sports Australia over the weekend he would be happy to challenge Tszyu before the year is out.
Elsewhere, Nikita also tells us how he is unlikely to face Kelly at all, suggesting that if the Brit looks to unify, as is being suggested, against American Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis … well, he will most likely be dethroned by KO.
Asked for a prediction should Ennis-Kelly take place, Tszyu said: “I think Boots beats him.
“It would be a close fight. But stylistically, I think Boots would be the aggressor. And I think he has a high potential to knock Kelly out.”
Back in April, Boot’s promoter Eddie Hearn also told us he would be interested in his US superstar fighting the younger Tszyu sibling, and suggested it could even happen in Australia.
It comes as Hearn’s Matchroom promotions are themselves now staging seven shows in Australia over the next year as part of a new broadcasting deal. So as for a future showdown with Ennis?
“It could be down the line, yeah,” Tszyu says simply. “So long as we keep progressing and get the experience that we need, it’s possible.
“I’m open to any challenge.
“During my last win against Oscar Diaz, there were good improvements in certain areas. I just need more experience, more rounds.
“And that’s why Ben Mahoney is such a great option. He’s skillful, durable, experienced. It’s a huge challenge for me.”
THE AMERICAN DEBUT
So how long until Tszyu gets his American debut?
It could be coming before Christmas.
With Jennings confirming he has spoken at length with No Limit boss Matt Rose about making it happen.
Elsewhere, the Rose boys have long coveted a fight on the same weekend as the NRL season opener in Las Vegas, and believe the younger Tszyu is now big enough to headline what would be a card targeted predominantly at crossover rugby league fans.
Asked about a ‘Tszyusa’ proposal, and Jennings says: “I’m extremely keen to introduce Nikita to the American market.
“It wouldn’t have to be for a world title.
“And I can say Matt Rose and I have already made some moves for that to happen in the not too distant future.
“I’d like him to have Nikita experience a camp in the US — the positives, the difficulties, the challenges of fighting abroad, even the idea of fighting as an underdog.
“Leaving Australia as a massive name, and arriving in America as a small one, that’s levelling. It puts a fighter into a good headspace and reminds them of everything that is ahead.
“And there will be big fights coming overseas.”
THE CHALLENGE
Of course, before any of this, Tszyu must first get through Wednesday night.
And what Paro insists is his toughest test yet against Mahoney.
“Oh, this really is a 50-50 fight,” the IBF champ says of Wednesday’s showdown. “And why I’m still on the fence over a prediction.
“I’ve done rounds with Mahoney before and can tell you, he’s Nikita’s toughest test to date. A real crafty character who has great ring IQ and is as tough as nails.
“The ticker he’s got, you can’t train that. I’ve never seen him hurt. And given the magnitude of this fight, you just know he will be leaving everything in there.
“Of course, it’s the same with Nikita Tszyu. I just can’t wait to watch this one … it’s a mad fight.”
Green agrees.
“Ben Mahoney is going to test Nikita technically,” he says. “Test his patience, and test his tactical approach. Nikita won’t be able to just run in and throw bombs, not against this bloke.
“This is a much bigger occasion than his past couple of fights. This fight will really test him.”
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