Latest news with #NataliaTszyu
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why Tim Tszyu's mother WON'T be watching her son fight for a place in the history books against Sebastian Fundora
Burnt by past bravado, Tim Tszyu vows to use his sharp boxing IQ in the world-title rematch with Sebastian Fundora - but his mother won't be there to see it. Natalia Tszyu flew to Las Vegas for Tim's WBO interim world title fight but won't be at the arena. She's stepped back from ringside after witnessing the damage he suffered in recent brutal bouts. In March 2023, Tim lost a split decision to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas for the WBC super-welterweight belt after a deep cut from an elbow blurred his vision. Then in October 2024, fighting in Orlando for the IBF world title, he was knocked out in the third round by Bakhram Murtazaliev and taken to hospital. After that night in Florida, Natalia - Australia's first lady of boxing - decided she'd seen enough. 'I am the mother of two warriors,' the mother of Tim and his boxing brother Nikita said. 'I've stood at the edge of the ring with my breath caught in my throat, watched them fight battles only they can fight, and smiled through fear no one else could see. 'People see the knockouts, the belts, the bright lights. 'They don't see the early mornings, the tears I've wiped in silence, the prayers whispered into the night when no one's looking. 'I carry their pain. I celebrate their victories. But I never stop being their mother first.' Like the co-headline act Manny Pacquiao, Tszyu received a hero's reception after hitting the scales in career peak condition at the official weigh-in in Las Vegas. But while soaking up the 'unreal' atmosphere ahead of the blockbuster card at the iconic MGM Grand, Tszyu said he was locked in for the fight of his life on Saturday night (Sunday AEST). The 30-year-old promised no more of the gung-ho antics that led to a brutal beat-down at the hands of Russian hitman Bakhram Murtazaliev in his last world-title fight in Florida in October. 'Smart. Strategic,' Tszyu said when asked what style he would take to the ring. 'I feel like a patient Tim Tszyu always brings out the best. 'When I'm rushing, trying to show my power and showing that physical dominance, sometimes I make a few mistakes. 'But this time, I'm just going to be smart and patient.' The humble former WBO super-welterweight belt holder believes he learnt some harsh but crucial life lessons in back-to-back defeats in the US last year to Fundora and Murtazaliev. 'You grow as a person. I'm just more disciplined. Adversity teaches you some stuff that victories don't. I'm at a different feeling right now,' the 30-year-old said. 'What happened in the past has made me into who I am today. Today is a dangerous, hungry young fighter who is willing to take it all and just wants success. 'So for me this is a different phase from last year. I'm more mature, more hungrier and more confident.' Fundora won last year's epic bloodbath on a split decision after Tszyu was left half-blinded by a cut artery to his head after walking into the so-called Towering Inferno's elbow late in round two. The US jabber says he won't need to alter his game plan to prevail once more, but Tszyu is adamant he will win regardless of what his rival brings to the blockbuster sequel. A revenge victory for the son of Australian legend Kostya Tszyu would vault Tim into the history books as only the second biological father-son duo to capture multiple world titles. The stakes are not lost on the challenger. 'I know my dad won his first world title here,' Tszyu said. 'He also won his undisputed fight against Zab Judah and to create this Tszyu legacy and Australian sporting moments, it's a big responsibility. 'But it's a big pleasure of mine and I can't wait to step in there and live a young kid's dream, chasing some of Australia's greatest sporting moments in history.'
Courier-Mail
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Boxing Tim Tszyu mum Natalia makes shock revelation ahead of world title rematch with Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News. Natalia Tszyu has flown to Vegas for her son Tim's world title fight but she won't be ringside – in fact she won't even be watching. Australia's first lady of boxing is staying true to her word, opting out of seeing her son do battle. No more blood and gore. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports 'I am in Vegas with my family, I am here with everyone but I won't be watching,' Natalia told in the lead-up to Tim's rematch with WBC super welterweight champ Sebastian Fundora. 'My family is all here, we are all here. The fight will be on my birthday.' Natalia Tszyu says being the mother of boxers is a lonely world but she wouldn't have it any other way. Picture: Mark Stewart Tim Tszyu in his brutal defeat to Sebastian Fundora in March last year. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images Tim (25-2 record) suffered his first career defeat against Fundora (22-1-1) in March last year, when a severe cut on his head from an errant elbow significantly impacted his vision in a split decision loss to the American. In his next fight in October 2024, Tim's hospitalisation following his brutal, third-round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando was the tipping point for the devoted mum who has been around boxing most of her life. 'I am the mother of two warriors,' she said referring to Tim and her other boxing son Nikita. 'I've stood at the edge of the ring with my breath caught in my throat, watched them fight battles only they can fight, and smiled through fear no one else could see. Tszyu's third-round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev last October was the final straw for Natalia. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu via Getty Images) 'People see the knockouts, the belts, the bright lights. 'They don't see the early mornings, the tears I've wiped in silence, the prayers whispered into the night when no one's looking. 'I carry their pain. I celebrate their victories. But I never stop being their mother first.' Natalia said she was confident Tim has 'all the heart, discipline and power to win' on Sunday. 'I believe in him — and I know Australia does too.' Natalia described boxing as 'beautiful and brutal'. 'And as proud as I am, being the mother of boxing sons can be the loneliest place in the world. Natalia Tszyu with her children Nikita, Anastasia and Tim at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas last year. Photo supplied. Tim Tszyu with his mum Natalia Tszyu. Picture: Justin Lloyd. 'But I wouldn't trade it for anything. 'Because in every fight, in every roar of the crowd, a piece of my heart walks into that ring. 'And no matter how far they go, they always carry their mother with them – quietly, fiercely, always.' It's been a busy few months for Natalia, who has also welcomed her first grandchild 'Holding her in my arms is a feeling beyond words. I'm proud of every moment — proud of my children and now this new life. 'Thank you to this beautiful country, Australia, for giving us the opportunity to be born, grow, and now raise a second generation here.' Originally published as Tim Tszyu's mum makes shock revelation ahead of boxing world title rematch
News.com.au
18-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tim Tszyu's mum makes shock revelation ahead of boxing world title rematch
Natalia Tszyu has flown to Vegas for her son Tim's world title fight but she won't be ringside – in fact she won't even be watching. Australia's first lady of boxing is staying true to her word, opting out of seeing her son do battle. No more blood and gore. 'I am in Vegas with my family, I am here with everyone but I won't be watching,' Natalia told in the lead-up to Tim's rematch with WBC super welterweight champ Sebastian Fundora. 'My family is all here, we are all here. The fight will be on my birthday.' Tim (25-2 record) suffered his first career defeat against Fundora (22-1-1) in March last year, when a severe cut on his head from an errant elbow significantly impacted his vision in a split decision loss to the American. In his next fight in October 2024, Tim's hospitalisation following his brutal, third-round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando was the tipping point for the devoted mum who has been around boxing most of her life. 'I am the mother of two warriors,' she said referring to Tim and her other boxing son Nikita. 'I've stood at the edge of the ring with my breath caught in my throat, watched them fight battles only they can fight, and smiled through fear no one else could see. 'People see the knockouts, the belts, the bright lights. 'They don't see the early mornings, the tears I've wiped in silence, the prayers whispered into the night when no one's looking. 'I carry their pain. I celebrate their victories. But I never stop being their mother first.' Natalia said she was confident Tim has 'all the heart, discipline and power to win' on Sunday. 'I believe in him — and I know Australia does too.' Natalia described boxing as 'beautiful and brutal'. 'And as proud as I am, being the mother of boxing sons can be the loneliest place in the world. 'But I wouldn't trade it for anything. 'Because in every fight, in every roar of the crowd, a piece of my heart walks into that ring. 'And no matter how far they go, they always carry their mother with them – quietly, fiercely, always.' It's been a busy few months for Natalia, who has also welcomed her first grandchild 'Holding her in my arms is a feeling beyond words. I'm proud of every moment — proud of my children and now this new life. 'Thank you to this beautiful country, Australia, for giving us the opportunity to be born, grow, and now raise a second generation here.'
