What does everyone think of this fight? personally I think this is Kostya’s best performance. This content is protected
You're not alone, and I've said the same thing. I think the Bergman fight was the best version of Tszyu.
Bergman's corner gave him great advice before the 4th round. In fact, they told him to do what Vince Phillips did when he beat Tszyu. Problem is, Bergman didn't know how to do what they were telling him to do. Maybe he never knew, maybe he forgot. He needed jab and circle, drop the right hand, one motion, then follow with a hook. With his height and reach advantages, coupled with the way Tszyu is straight up with his head right there, the right hand is a free shot. That little bit of a circle to the right moves you away from his right hand and shortens the distance for yours. But Bergman never did it. Every time he moved right he moved laterally, not in a circle. He would take himself out of range so he had to move back left. By that time Tszyu had tracked him and was waiting when Bergman put himself in range.
It was a nice display of near physical peak Tszyu. Kostya's later more iconic fights he was well and truly into his very gradual physical slide. His defensive radar, shot placement and timing were excellent in this fight. He took a few against Bergman but had him missing plenty often by just inches and whilst not sacrificing positioning. He was having his way with him in the end but really turned it on and finished it brutally after he was cut by the butt. Bergman had all the physical gifts..He was a smooth, rangy boxer puncher with an especially potent left hook. He just ran into a prime Tszyu and an emerging Judah during his best years. And took a bad beating in both fights. Not many come back from that but he hung around for a while.
