‘On his own path’: Tszyu brothers’ fork in the road
Murray Wenzel |
Nikita Tszyu “can’t understand” his brother Tim’s move to axe the staff they share and won’t be following suit, admitting he isn’t sure how it will impact the boxing brothers’ relationship.
Former world champion Tim Tszyu, coming off three losses in his past four fights, this week split from long-time head coach Igor Goloubev, manager Glen Jennings, as well as his strength and conditioning coach, cut-man and medic.
Undefeated younger brother Nikita (11-0), while teasing an “inevitable” date with Michael Zerafa, had the news broken to him by Jennings.
“Little bit surprised, little shocked,” Nikita told reporters ringside in Brisbane for Liam Paro’s IBF world title eliminator on Thursday.
“It is what it is. He’s on his own path, wants to do this his way and it’s up to him.
“He knows how to make decisions for himself.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen, honestly.
“For me, nothing’s changing. If anything my relationship with my team is getting even stronger. They’re going to stay until the very last day.”
Jennings, a Newcastle businessman, also managed Tszyu’s father and undisputed world champion Kostya.
“Eight years (managing Tim) is a long time and these things happen and you’ve just got to be mature enough to say, ‘OK, go and do what you need to do’,” said Jennings, who had Liam Wilson among others on the Paro undercard.
“He (Igor) is like everyone … a little bit ‘wow’, so that’s the end of an era.
“And if this is what Tim needs to get back in the winner’s circle, then he should do it.”
Tim is eyeing an Australian homecoming fight at the back end of this year, while Nikita could fight Zerafa in November.
Zerafa shouted at Tszyu to “sign the contract” as he walked past the boxer while he was addressing media on Thursday.
“I’m training, preparing for the inevitable,” Tszyu said.
“I think we all know what’s coming down the line.
“When it becomes official … I’ll come out hard.
“I haven’t had any back-and-forth fight build-ups for a while.
“It brings out a different side of me. The occasion, you rise to it.
“You take on the challenge, silence critics, do what is deemed impossible.
“I hope more people think I’m actually going to lose.”
AAP
