WBO number one ranked junior middleweight Tim ‘The Soul Taker’ Tszyu 19-0 (15) could fight in his father’s native Russia if he is successful against Japan’s Takeshi Inoue 17-1-1 (10) at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old Sydneysider is the eldest son of former undisputed junior welterweight champion and International Boxing Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu.
His famous father is confident that his son will box in Russia.
“This is going to happen,” Tszyu told The Sun-Herald. “We have talked about this for a long time. It’s going to be something special that the family will never forget. It will be a dream come true.
“It’s going to get big attention here and [in Australia]. He has to beat Castano and then he can come over here.
“It’s time to open up [borders after the pandemic]. We could do it in spring time here. It would be a very big thing to do this.”
Tszyu is in line to face WBO champion Brian Castano 17-0-2 (12) of Argentina, who is coming off a disputed split draw against American WBC, WBA and IBF champion Jermell Charlo 34-1-1 (18) in July.
Negotiations for an immediate rematch have appeared to have stalled, but rather than wait for his world title shot Tszyu has opted to stay busy and fight the dangerous Inoue first.
Tszyu senior believes his son has what it takes to beat Inoue and win a world title.
“He can do it,” Tszyu said. “This is a very dangerous fight [against Inoue]. But when someone calls you out you take on the challenge.
“People say he shouldn’t take it, but if you want to be world champion you have to beat everybody. That’s what he needs to do.”
Tszyu’s only concern about his son’s career is the constant comparisons with his own.
“People should stop comparing us,” he said. “Tim is his own man. This is his journey, he has done it himself.
“I am very proud of him. Not just because of boxing, but because of the man he has become. He is doing it his own way, but I am always in his corner. I am always going to be here for him.”
Tszyu junior had a limited amateur career compared to his father but has been expertly progressed in the pro ranks.
“He is now 27. When I was 25 I was already world champion. There are big challenges, but he can do it. He will do it his own way,” Tszyu said.
“For me, I am proud of how he is doing it. He treats people with respect. I am proud of the man he has become.”
Tszyu junior knows his world championship ambitions will be curtailed if he doesn’t get past Inoue.
“Every opponent is different; styles make fights,” Tszyu said to The Ring. “He could be the easiest, he could be the hardest, but [you would think] he’d be up there in the top three.
“He’s tough. He gave it to [then-WBO junior middleweight titleholder Jaime] Munguia. Munguia outboxed him.
“[Inoue] comes with the attitude that he wants to win. He’s a brawler, he’s a strong boy, he’s stocky, he’s definitely got some power, he’s got a few dangerous punches, he’s got an overhand right that is hard to see. He shuts the distance down well; he puts some good pressure.
“I think my boxing IQ is going to allow me to dictate and win this fight. It’s going to be an interesting fight.”
