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Kostya Tszyu Interview
10.25.04 - By Scoop Malinowski: One of the great fighters of this modern era took the time out to discuss many topics, such as his greatest performance, his advice for Mike Tyson, how he was able to intimidate Zab Judah, and much much more:
Scoop: How has your hunger changed now that you are in your mid 30's?
Kostya Tszyu: "It is different. I can't say it's the same hunger that it used to be. I look at it this way: I put a motivation for myself...why I'm doing this...of course, hunger is coming from success. When you always (have) success, I mean, I have achieved everything in (the) sport already. But you can not retire this way, like this. To stop now...I can't stop it. I have a few things to achieve more. And this is the hunger, it's a big hunger."
Scoop: How would you like to exit boxing? What would be your desired way to retire from boxing?
Kostya Tszyu: "I haven't been in the States for some time. I have very big fan base in Australia and in Russia. Huge. But I never had big fan base here in United States. And this is the capital of boxing - the United States. And I have to prove to you guys (media), the fans, that I am one of the best 140 lb. champions for all the years."
Scoop: Next for you is the Sharmba Mitchell rematch. How will you prevent it from again being a dirty fight with a lot of wrestling?
Kostya Tszyu: "For him to not hold me. It's very simple way - wrestling, if you hold me and I move my hands away, and he wasn't strong in the leg because of injury. And that's why he fell."
Scoop: You believe he quit that fight?
Kostya Tszyu: "Yes, I believe so. I believe it was quit (TKO 7 win in February 2001). You heard what he said in the corner. Everyone heard (on TV). And unfortunately for him, he couldn't admit this. And he knew it was a round or two - I started getting closer and closer to him. My timing wasn't the best in the first few rounds. But I started picking up in the 4th-5th round. And he knew that it was just a matter of time before he was gonna be down."
Scoop: In what fight were you at your very best?
Kostya Tszyu: "I think one of the best performances was against (Miguel Angel) Gonzalez (TKO 10 for WBC Interim title in Miami, FL in 1999). I had really fought against a great boxer, and just rip him apart. Slowly, slowly, slowly just destroy him. And I enjoy it. I really enjoyed that fight."
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Scoop: So you knew you would beat Judah before the fight even started? How did you know?
Kostya Tszyu: "Of course, I never knew that it was gonna be in the second round. I did predict it about (round) eight or nine, where he's gonna be tired. The way I train, no one trains. And I knew if I would put pressure on him, he's not gonna be able to withstand this pressure for a long time. He'll make mistake. It's all about one split-second. Boxing is a funny thing...you blink your eyes and somebody says 'Goodnight' to you [smiles]."
Scoop: I remember seeing you put your arm around Judah at the weigh-in and you were very friendly, smiling at him, almost like a father with a son. That's how it looked. And he just froze and looked uncomfortable, like he didn't know how to react to you. Do you remember that? That's moment when it first hit me that you could win...
Kostya Tszyu: "When somebody can be intimidated, I use this. Because I'm very wise person [smiles]. I know how to intimidate my opponents. I know how to play tricky stuff for them. And that's what...boxing's not really physical, it's all about mental. And I beat him before fight. I think it was at weigh-in."
Scoop: Yes, at the weigh-in is when you put your arm around him. And it confused him.
Kostya Tszyu: "You know what I ask him? I did ask him about his daughter. And this was shock for him. You expecting something different when the unexpected things come up, he was shocked. Look, I love kids. And his daughter is Destiny - I did some homework. And, look, it's great, I love kids. His daughter was just born and how's your daughter? He expect something different before. And he lost himself in that question."
Scoop: What about his career since your fight? He's done well. But with all that talent, he's kind of underachieved...
Kostya Tszyu: "Zab is in a downfall as far as I can see. And he needs to make some changes in his life if he wants to achieve something."
Scoop: What's been his downfall - lack of focus, too many distraction, immaturity? His talent is unbelievable.
Kostya Tszyu: "My fight [smiles]. He's got great talent, great speed, great abilities. But knockout like this stays forever in mind. He doesn't want to get hit again. And if it is gonna stay in his mind, he can't box anymore. He should retire. When we go in the ring, we know we're going to get hit. We know. We're not the ballet people. But if you go in there and have doubt in your mind that you're afraid to get hit, forget it."
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Scoop: What's been the greatest moment of your career?
Kostya Tszyu: "So many great moments. I think the best one now was the win against Zab Judah (TKO 2 in 2001 to unify the 140-lb. championship). (Why?) The recognition in the world become very different. Not only the recognition, it's feelings from other people coming to you - it's differently."
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Scoop: Considering you're the best at 140, how do you rate the others such as Harris, Hatton, Cotto, Mitchell, Gatti...can you put them in order?
Kostya Tszyu: "I don't want to rate this way. As far as I'm concerned, it's only one number...it's Number one. Another one...it can be 110, who cares? For example, in the beginning of my career I never rate myself two, three, four, five...I didn't care about these numbers. Because I planned to be champion. And there's only one thing that matters...to be world champion."
Scoop: Okay, let me put it this way: Who do you foresee taking over as the King at 140 after you retire in two or three years?
Kostya Tszyu: "I don't care [laughs]. Look...Mayweather...possibility for him to be - if he not decide to make any ****** things in life. Yeah, probably him."
Scoop: Comment on possibly fighting Arturo Gatti in the future...
Kostya Tszyu: "Look, the fight against Gatti would be great. For a very simple reason...people want to see this fight. They've got a big demand for this. And I believe there's only one reason why I should fight him - two great champions, it's going to be a great match and pleasure for others to watch. I respect Arturo very much. And I do believe he respect me very well. It's going to be just a great business, it's gonna be a great show."
Scoop: Comment on fighting Floyd Mayweather...
Kostya Tszyu: "It would be a great fight. I fought his uncle (Roger - W12 in '95 in Newcastle, Australia) who's training him now. It would be good to fight him too. I remember after Olympic Games ('96) we were in same room as Bob Arum, he just start his career. I already was world champion. It would be a good, good matchup. If the short time will be able to produce this match, it will be great fight."
Scoop: Comment on a fight with Vicious Vivian Harris.
Kostya Tszyu: "Possibility. You know they took (WBA) title away from me. I believe it was an unfair way. It's wrong way. But, look, I'm proud of myself. I haven't done anything wrong. And that's why I have to think about this - if I move up to next division. You've got (Cory) Spinks there. That would be a great match. That's great possibility."
Scoop: Your opinion of Miguel Cotto?
Kostya Tszyu: "He's a good prospect. Lovemore (N'dou) gave him a good fight. He's still a young kid. And they probably not want me to face him yet. Because he's a kid, and the kid will be destroyed by man. If it's gonna happen, it's gonna be another great match. Another young fighter that probably in the future can be good. But I haven't seen him too close yet. I have watched the fight but never studied him yet."
Scoop: If successful against Mitchell in November, who would you prefer to fight?
Kostya Tszyu: "Again, I'm looking at what you guys want. That's what I'm asking...what you want, that's what's gonna happen. I still got great contract with Showtime - three fights plus two - but long way to go. And I believe whatever good opponent I'm to face, I'm ready. I'm ready for anybody. If it's even possibility from Showtime deal with HBO - because it's gonna be (an) issue, I'm ready."
Scoop: Who are your favorite boxers to watch?
Kostya Tszyu: "I do respect Hopkins very much. I do respect Oscar very much. And the reason - how they handle themselves outside the ring. And they've got a lot of similarities with myself, to see how they do the business. And that's why I'm respecting powerful what they do."
Scoop: What type of people do you most admire?
Kostya Tszyu: "Professionals. People who do things professionally, very classy. Because I like to see everything. If it's ballet or a drawing - it should be very professional, without mistakes. There are not many good professionals. I like people who try their best."
October 2004................ debate endedComment
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Has this ever come anywhere close to happening during the fight at any point in Hatton's career? Forget puffy-eyed Gatti for a second, Hatton has never had trouble with swelling during the fight. He has had difficulty with cuts early in his career, but other than the Maussa fight (Maussa's favourite combination is a headbutt in the right eye followed by a headbutt in the other eye followed by a good rub with his laces on both sides) Hatton hasn't been in any danger for a long time.
You're clutching at straws, and reposting one picture of Hatton looking bruised up the day after the fight over and over again isn't going to help.Comment
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If Hatton's hearts explodes, that's a TKO win for Floyd...right?Comment
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Kostya Tszyu: "It would be a great fight. I fought his uncle (Roger - W12 in '95 in Newcastle, Australia) who's training him now. It would be good to fight him too. I remember after Olympic Games ('96) we were in same room as Bob Arum, he just start his career. I already was world champion. It would be a good, good matchup. If the short time will be able to produce this match, it will be great fight."
Yes he got asked and he said it would be a good fight.
Floyd has said that he is interested in fighting Kostya......it never happened. Nobody ducked nobody.Comment
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You are such a numbnut Wiley , that interview does not bolster your bull**** at all , he mentions Mayweather in answering a direct question only , I really cant believe how ****** you are .
Dont you like how Kostya talks of Sharmba quitting ,,, why dont you find the interview with KT where he said after the Shamba fight ," he quit , we are fighters , even with broken bones we fight and never quit " ,,, LOL .
Kostya got KOed by a journeyman and then quit on his stool , Floyd would beat him without fuss .
Direct question for Wiley ,,, how old are you ? ,,, Im guessing 17 -20Comment
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