Kostya Tszyu Reunites with Sons at Pre-Fight Conference in Florida

In a poignant family reunion, Kostya Tszyu, a renowned figure in the boxing world, made an unexpected appearance at a pre-fight press conference in Florida, dispelling long-standing rumors of estrangement from his sons. The gathering took place ahead of an important match for Tszyu’s eldest son, Tim, who is set to face Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev in an IBF super-welterweight title showdown.

Kostya Tszyu, aged 55 and a Hall of Fame inductee, surprised attendees by arriving earlier than anticipated and greeting his sons with warm affection. This included a fatherly massage for Tim and an emotional embrace for his younger son, Nikita. It marked the first time in over a decade that Tszyu had met Nikita in person.

“They are in my heart every second. They are in my thoughts every second,” Tszyu expressed, addressing the long period spent apart after returning to Russia 15 years ago to begin a new life. He noted that although they maintained regular contact via phone, it was not the same as face-to-face interactions. “I’m sure we’ll have a great, great time here together,” he added.

The presence of Tszyu was a significant moment for the family, as he had not attended any of his sons’ professional matches, totaling 35 bouts since Tim’s debut in 2016. Reflecting on the challenges of watching his sons from afar, Tszyu remarked, “I’m alright now. I’m not nervous now, but I’m not sure what’s going to happen tomorrow.”

Tim recalled a previous experience at the SCG where he found his father’s exuberance challenging, calling it a “circus” as Tszyu vocally offered instructions. However, all seemed forgiven, with Tszyu given prime seating for the upcoming fight at the Caribe Royale Orlando Resort.

Recent bouts have been fraught with challenges, notably a controversial contest in Las Vegas where Tim suffered his first career loss due to a split-decision following an accidental elbow blow from opponent Sebastian Fundora. “Thank God I wasn’t there,” Tszyu reflected on the event.

Tim Tszyu, acknowledging his father’s tendency for surprises, noted that Kostya had assured him earlier that day he would not attend the press conference. Describing the moment of surprise, Tim said, “I’m sitting down on my couch and he just grabbed me from my back and got my traps pretty good.”

Nikita, equally moved by the encounter, expressed a preference for in-person moments over digital communication. “We don’t need to say much,” he shared. “We’re not very talkative people, but all we need is a hug and a little murmur of silence.”