Kostya to debut as head-trainer vs RJJ

Tszyu to debut as boxing trainer

by Adrian Warren - smh - May 11th 2011

AAP

Australian boxing icon Kostya Tszyu will make his debut as a head trainer later this month, in the corner of a fighter facing the great Roy Jones Jr and a potential opponent of Danny Green.

Tszyu, the former undisputed world light welterweight champion, will be in the corner of Russian cruiserweight Denis Lebedev for his May 21 clash in Moscow with multi world title-winner Jones.

Now 41, Tszyu, whose last fight was six years ago against Ricky Hatton in Manchester, divides his time between his his birth country Russia and his adopted home Australia.

In an interview with AAP, Tszyu expressed sadness at the passing of former world bantamweight champion Lionel Rose and also wasn't surprised by the IBF middleweight world title win of Daniel Geale the same day.

Lebedev's manager approached Tszyu about training his fighter to face Jones, who was sensationally stopped by Green in one round in late 2009.

Tszyu wasn't fazed by the fact he hadn't trained a professional fighter before heading into the clash at a sold-out 7,000 seat facility.

"I still regard him (Jones) as one of the best of all time," Tszyu told AAP on the phone from Moscow.

"He's a good friend of mine, which means it's a good challenge for us, it's one of the reasons why I accept this challenge, because it's Roy."

Australian fight fans can judge Tszyu's qualities as a trainer, with the fight going out live on Main Event through the Foxtel, Austar and Optus platforms.

Lebedev lost a split points decision to WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck in Berlin last December and hopes a win over Jones will earn him a rematch.

A revenge victory over Huck could send Lebedev spinning into the orbit of Green, Australia's IBO cruiserweight world champion.

"With Danny Green fighting against Antonio Tarver it's another good opportunity for us and if and when we are going to win the WBO title, we maybe accept a challenge for our fighter in Australia," Tszyu said.

He will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York next month alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.

"This is a big honour, it's Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, (referee) Joe Cortez and (Rocky star) Sylvester Stallone, it's good company, I look forward to it."

With sons Timophey, 16, and Nikita, 13, among the country's leading amateurs in their age groups, the Tszyu name will be associated with boxing for a long time yet.

"I cannot walk away from this sport ever," Tszyu said.

Tszyu met Rose on several occasions at the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame functions.

"I will cherish his autograph and photo on my wall," Tszyu said.

And he always believed Geale had the ability to win a professional world title.

"Since the amateur times, he stood out from the crowd," Tszyu said.

"Now (we have) another world champion in our country, beautiful."

 

Reckon Roy's putting the effort in Beav. But his body just can't do what his brain asks it to do any more.

Sadly, with the balance and coordination problems he's already experiencing, I reckon he's in for a very ugly old age. Particularly if he continues to get pounded in future bouts.

 

Someone's going to have to remove Roy from the ring before the ring steals the remainder of Roy's future health.

 

Sad thing is, in Roys case, I reckon there's more to it than just an aging body.

Read a very disturbing article recently about him visiting specialists in the search of a way of regaining his balance and equilibrium - a clear sign his body is saying enough is enough - particularly at his age!