Costya Tszyu: "My sons never achieved their highest ranks - they achieved their professional boxing success on their own"
bornein the city of Severodvinsk, took up professional boxing in 1991 after winning a world title in Australia. Since then, he lived in Sydney, where his sons and daughter were born. Later, he brought his father, mother, and sister to Australia.
In 2005, he ended his athletic career and four years later returned to Russia where he founded the charitable foundation "Kostya Tszyu Boxing Academy". Meanwhile, his sons ventured into professional boxing. Tim became the WBO Inter-Continental champion, and Nikita, the Australasian champion under the IBF banner.
Did you want your sons to take up boxing, or did you think they should choose a different path?I welcome my sons choosing their own paths in life, as they are ultimately responsible for their own destinies. When Tim and Nikita were young, I encouraged any sports activities – initially gymnastics and later football. But for success in boxing, one needs strong motivation. I had it. Growing up in a small apartment with our neighbors, all living in a single room of 16 square meters, I can scarcely imagine how our furniture and refrigerator fit. Boxing opened a window to another world for me. Explaining this to children born and raised in Australia, who never needed anything, was a challenge. I accustomed them to the lifestyle where the word "no" is irrelevant. They received everything they wanted.
Were you afraid they would become spoiled and rely on your help for their entire lives?They never became spoiled for a single day. The fact that they had my example as someone who made it on their own had a greater impact than any conversations. I explained to Tim and Nikita the importance of earning and receiving. If you believe in yourself, you will always find a way to earn. They understood this from an early age – material security was not a test for them. Although they may not have achieved the self-reliance I had, I wouldn't compare myself to them. In the end, they proved their independence.
Were they infatuated with boxing early on?Both boys were still in school when they told me they wanted to box. When I heard it, I realized – this is my destiny. With the start of their training, they made significant progress. Then they sustained serious injuries – Tim retired as an amateur, while Nikita enrolled in college and also quit boxing. After I returned to Russia, we lived separately, but I told them I would always be there for them, should they ever need me. We remained in touch. They took over management of my sports hall – they looked after the kids training there, and at some point, they seemed to realize they wanted to return to boxing.
How did you react when you learned Tim and Nikita wanted to get in the ring?Tim was the first to call, asking if I supported his professional career decision. I gladly welcomed it. A few years later, Nikita asked the same question. By that time, he had graduated from university with an engineering diploma, a well-paying job, and continued his interest in professional boxing. There's one crucial point: they wanted to prove not just that they were my sons, but to demonstrate to themselves that they could achieve success on their own. I could only be proud of such a decision.
What motivated Tim and Nikita to take up boxing – the desire to surpass their father?I don't believe they intended to surpass me. Yet their goals were ambitious, and Tim achieved his. He is very popular in Australia – people on the street recognize him more frequently than they recognize me. Earlier, this would have been unthinkable – there was simply no way they'd be known without my help. Now I can visit Australia, stroll through city streets, and even avoid drawing unnecessary attention.
What about Nikita?Nikita's successes have been more modest so far, but he is making progress.
Do you help your sons with joint training sessions, revealing the secrets of the craft?You see, in card tricks, showing someone the secrets typically makes it impossible for them to successfully copy your tricks. Boxing is somewhat similar. It takes a unique combination of timing, coordination, and experience to excel. Last summer, I flew with Tim to training camps in Thailand, where we put in a lot of effort. Although my physical abilities are not as strong as some younger fighters, my experience gave Tim greater confidence and a deeper understanding of his potential. In December-January, I spent two months in Australia with my sons, spending all my time with them. I shared some of my secrets regarding physical and emotional preparation, as well as tips for dealing with opponents. If only our advice proves useful for them. The key in this is persistence and repetition of basic techniques.
While you're in Russia, are your sons looked after by your father?My father is always around. When I started competing, he supported me by keeping a journal of my training sessions, documenting what we did. Now he attends his grandchildren's training sessions. The kids say their grandfather plays a crucial role in their sports careers. He makes sure they stick to their training schedules. He takes care of their uniforms when they need washing, treating them like pampered children. Thanks to his care, I feel confident my sons are in capable hands.
You've released three children's comics in Yekaterinburg about Kostya Tszyu and his friends – is this an attempt to pass on your experiences to other children?These stories are based on actual events from my life, focusing on how a ten-year-old boy overcame his fears. I wanted to help children understand that fear is something to acknowledge, not ignore. Fear becomes small when you confront it head-on. The solutions provided in the comics are straightforward: for those afraid of darkness, they should find strength within themselves to face it. This is a test of self-overcoming. Throughout the books, readers will find useful tips – from how to build a shelter to starting a fire and staying afloat. The comic book format makes these stories more accessible and easier to understand. Although I don't have enough time for sales, I will find a way to reach readers.
What aspirations do you have for your sons in the ring?I hope they become world champions – that would be wonderful. For this, they need to develop a genuine hunger for boxing.
Редакция благодарит за содействие в подготовке этого интервью организаторов фестиваля "Движение".
Is this a realistic goal, in your opinion?I don't intentionally set unrealistic goals to apply pressure on them. However, if they become world champions, our family – father and two sons – would join a rare group, or perhaps even become the only family, where all champions hail from. Perhaps, in time, one of them will earn a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame – that is my dream. I hope it's not just wishful thinking.
Editor's note: We thank the organizers of the "Movement" festival for their assistance in preparing this interview.
- Even though he had a successful boxing career, Kostya Tszyu wished for his sons to choose their own paths in life, not being tied to boxing solely because of his example. When they expressed interest in boxing, he supported their decisions, understanding that they had to find their own motivation for success.
- Both Tim and Nikita showed great potential in boxing, but faced serious injuries early in their careers. Upon returning to Russia, Kostya shared some of his secrets about physical and emotional preparation, as well as tips for dealing with opponents, during their training sessions. He helped them to understand that it was crucial to be persistent and repetitive in their training, not relying on secrets alone for success.
