Why Tsyzu Might Fight On

WHILE the man himself isn't saying it, boxing circles were alive yesterday with talk of Kostya Tszyu climbing back into the ring for one last hurrah. Tszyu, 35, has one fight left in his lucrative contract with American network Showtime and is said to be desperate to leave boxing on his terms. He wasn't given that chance on June 5 in Manchester in surrendering his IBF junior welterweight title to England's Ricky Hatton when Tszyu's trainer Johnny Lewis called the fight off after 11 rounds. Tszyu's manager Matt Watt wasn't committing himself yesterday, other than to say there had been no shortage of offers for potential fights since the Hatton loss. "I know Ricky Hatton's management have said they won't consider a rematch with Kostya, and I can understand that because there is very little upside for Ricky to fight Kostya again," Watt said. "I can honestly say Kostya hasn't told me one way or another if he will fight and I have been leaving him alone in that regard. There has been considerable interest from overseas to fight Kostya and he clearly remains a legend in boxing circles despite the loss to Hatton. "What caused it? I can't answer that . . . the time of the fight (2am), the referee, the low blow, age, ring-rust, an off night. Who knows? "Going to Manchester was a considered judgment considering the risk and there are no regrets. You must remember it was a close fight and it's not as if the signs were obvious that Kostya was finished." Herald Sun boxing analyst Barry Michael said Tszyu would have no problems taking care of Hatton in a rematch and doubted whether the Englishman could take on the cream. "They're talking about fighting Floyd Mayweather or Miguel Cotto. Good luck. Mayweather is the best fighter in the business and I've been a huge fan since he got robbed for a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics," Michael said. "I think Kostya could fight again and the word is he's keen. He's a very proud person and he won't want to have finished on his stool. Hopefully it could happen in Melbourne. "The best two fights for him would be a Hatton rematch or stepping up to welterweight and fighting Zab Judah. "Judah's style is made for Kostya so Judah won't take that fight. And Hatton knows it would be harder next time so you might find Kostya frozen out. Fighting Mayweather and Cotto would be good money but they are too dangerous."