Why Kostya Tszyu will be shortchanged by history

[Mr. Ryan]

Kostya Tszyu is one of the top 10 fighters of the last 10 years, bar none. He holds wins over Zab Judah (TKO2), Rafael Ruelas (TKO9), Ben Tackie (UD12) and Sharmba Mitchell (TKO7, TKO3). But the one thing that messed up his career, and quite possibly saved it as well was his 10th round stoppage loss to Vince Phillips. That was the last time Kostya appeared on an HBO telecast. While dominating on Showtime, he never broke through to American audiences like former Showtime alums Felix Trinidad and Ricardo Mayorga. For this reason, he will never be seen on the same plane as Roy Jones Jr. or Oscar De La Hoya.

[scap]

The fight with Vince Phillips should elevate KT. Everyone knows how to beat him....you have to go through hell to do it, Vince took a hell of a beating in that fight and continued to keep coming. Only Vince has been willing to do what it takes, keep in mind that KT was also somewhat young in his career, he refocused himself and now when he fights his mind is exactly where Vince's mind was when they fought which is "I will go through hell to win, if you are willing to do the same then we will see who comes out on top." KT has the best mindset in boxing, fighters like Vargas say they are willing to die to win, yet they are just talking tough. KT doesn't say ****, yet he is willing to die, that is why I like him so much. You may be overrating him a bit, yet your right maybe it is me who is doing what too many people have been doing which is underating him.

[cple]

Well, he won't be mentioned on the same plane as Jones and DLH because he accomplish as much nor faced as good of opposition. However, not many have. Still, i do think he will be undervalued for the reasons you mentioned--he wasn't that captivating.

[Mr. Ryan]

I'm not by any means a Tszyu fan, I'm just saying his lack of HBO exposure has been the biggest detriment to his legacy.

[phallus]

he'll never get his due, unless he beats Cory Spinks and becomes 140 and 147 undisputed

[NAB]

I think Tszyu will get the credit he deserves. It seems like he is recieving more already after the Mitchell win. He has his detractors who don't seem to realise how good he is at fighting all types of fighters.

[neostars]

Yeah, that fight with Vince hurt his career, but that not the only reason.
Most of the time tszyu fights,it is in USA, either it is against americans or mexicans.
He has beaten the ****s out of almost all of them. Why would u support a overseas fighter who has just beaten the crap out of your hometown fighter???
If he was an american or mexican citizen, he would be more popular today.
Just come down to Australia and see how popular he is.

[DR. FREECLOUD]

Yeah, that fight with Vince hurt his career, but that not the only reason.
Most of the time tszyu fights,it is in USA, either it is against americans or mexicans.
He has beaten the ****s out of almost all of them. Why would u support a overseas fighter who has just beaten the crap out of your hometown fighter???
If he was an american or mexican citizen, he would be more popular today.
Just come down to Australia and see how popular he is.

so true. if he were to move to the states like the klits did then he would be alot more popular. personally i think he is a very good fighter and will continue to be. he has obviously been under rated by my american cohabs. they just think that only american and mexican fighters can be great. i know not all of you do but i feel like the majority do. i can't figure out why it is that everyone here feels that a european fighter can't be hte best in his class.

[WillieW]

Not being on HBO does hurt KT. As does his unwillingness to move up in weight. Some would try to point that out as reason for not being recognized but he has reigned over the deepest division in boxing in an undisputed fashion for years. Even his detractors cannot deny that. He never needed to move up to 147lbs (A WEAKER DIVISION) when he had plenty of fights in his own division.

When KT was about to fight Mitchell, alot of people said there is no way he can handle the speed of Mitchell....he did, twice.

When KT was about to fight Juda, alot of people said he would get schooled by the faster, hard puncher.....he knocked him silly.

Now, its Cotto and Mayweather. People are saying the same things, and KT looks better than ever. He will never be recognized by the majority as what he is, a truely great fighter.

There is no reason why he shouldn't be considered one of the best 140lbs fighters ever, but he will always suffer from lack of exposure.

[scap]

good post willy.