Australian boxing star Tim Tszyu has reignited his passion for the sport as the former world champion begins his career resurrection from a new training base in Miami, with hopes of returning to the ring before the year concludes.
Career Crossroads After Fundora Defeat
Tim Tszyu's flourishing career suffered a significant setback with his second consecutive loss to American Sebastian Fundora during their highly anticipated world-title rematch in Las Vegas this past July. This marked the Australian fighter's third defeat in his last four bouts, a stark contrast to his unbeaten record through his first 24 professional fights.
Facing a critical juncture in his boxing journey, Tszyu made the surprising decision to part ways with long-time trainer Igor Goloubev and manager Glen Jennings. Both continue to work with his brother Nikita, maintaining their involvement with the Tszyu boxing family.
Finding New Inspiration With Pedro Diaz
After trialling with five different trainers across the United States, Tszyu ultimately selected renowned coach Pedro Diaz, whose impressive resume includes working with world champions such as Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, Croatian Filip Hrgovic, and fellow Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux.
The former Sydneysider has now established his home in Florida to work closely with Diaz, and expressed renewed optimism about his future during a recent Zoom call from Miami.
"It's definitely a different type of energy that I've felt in a long time," Tszyu revealed. "It's made me honestly fall back in love with the sport and the reason why I started. It reminds me of when I was a 15-year-old, coming back home from school and watching tapes and just studying the game."
The Australian boxer acknowledged he had become too task-oriented previously, attempting to disconnect from boxing outside training hours. Now, he fully embraces the sport as integral to his identity.
"I've realised that it's part of my DNA, the love that I have for it, what it's done for me, what it's given me, the discipline, the life that I've always dreamt about," Tszyu explained.
Old School Cuban Style Meets Soviet Roots
Tszyu felt immediately drawn to the intensity and vast experience of 62-year-old Diaz, whose traditional Cuban coaching methods resonated with the boxer's Russian heritage and childhood memories watching his legendary father, Kostya, train.
"As soon as I got to Pedro, I was like, this is the guy," Tszyu stated enthusiastically. "His passion and knowledge and who he's worked with, and just the way he does things - the Cuban boxing type style, and there's a lot of Soviet-type of work - it's just refreshing."
The former champion acknowledged he had drifted from his technical foundations in recent years, focusing more on Western boxing's emphasis on toughness and aggression. Working with Diaz has reminded him that boxing fundamentally revolves around skill and intelligence.
Looking Toward The Future
While the next scheduled fight in the Tszyu family involves brother Nikita's January showdown with family rival Michael Zerafa, Tim aims to make his own ring return in the coming months.
"I'm with my new coach, so I'm eager to show what I've been putting in," Tszyu said. "Fingers crossed, we can secure something in the next couple of weeks, and hopefully I'm able to fight by the end of the year, or next year."
The Australian boxer's Miami relocation and partnership with Diaz signals a fresh chapter for Tszyu, who appears to have rediscovered both his love for boxing and the strategic approach that initially propelled him to world championship status.
