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Tszyu suffers Brain Bruising
EXCLUSIVE By Paul Kent, townsvillebulletin.news.com.au
23jun05
KOSTYA Tszyu has revealed he suffered bruising to the brain as well as internal bleeding following his loss to Englishman Ricky Hatton earlier this month.
Tszyu had the tests done in hospital last week which determined the injuries.
Always the fighter, though, he said the injuries would have no bearing on whether he retires or pushes on for more fights.
The diagnosis again underwrites trainer Johnny Lewis's standing as the best cornerman in Australia after he elected to stop the fight rather than send Tszyu out for the final round.
Tszyu said the injuries posed no long-term threat and were more a result of 11 rounds he went with Hatton - and several other factors - than any potentially permanent injury.
"I can't release it for another couple of weeks but it's very, very simple, the reasons," Tszyu said.
"Flying is one of the reasons, and the fight, of course.
"But the check-up is fine really.
"It doesn't matter."
Tszyu took the tests as a precaution and was not surprised to find there was after-effects from his loss to Hatton, the fight stopped after Lewis ended it at the end of the 11th.
Tszyu said he was now fine and suffering no ongoing problems.
"I mean, everything is fine right now," he said.
"I don't have any problems."
Tszyu's manager Matthew Watt was reluctant to talk about the specific nature of the injuries.
He did, however, say they were unavoidable in a fight as tough as the one which saw Tszyu suffer his first defeat in eight years.
"I think he was a bit battered and bruised everywhere," Watt said.
"It was a tough fight.
"It was a war.
"I'm not going into bruising and bleeding and all that, there's nothing to say.
"We all saw how he looked after the fight, I think it speaks for itself.
"As far as the health side goes he went in for a check-up post-fight.
"Even though he was battered and bruised he has been given the all-clear for the future.
"There was no lasting or long- term issues."
Tszyu said he would take his time before making a decision on his future although two high-profile members of his camp - Lewis and wife Natasha - have stated publicly their desire to see him retire.
Tszyu said yesterday he was: "Not in a rush.
"I do not put any time on it. Just take it easy."
However he was adamant the bruising and bleeding "is going to have no reason for my decision.
"I am still healthy.
"In a matter of time it [will be] normal."
Instead, Tszyu was more interested in talking about Sunday's WBC super-lightweight bout between champion Arturo Gatti and challenger Floyd Mayweather.
He tips Mayweather on points.
He was also interested in when Zab Judah next puts his undisputed welterweight title on the line - in September against a yet-to-be- named opponent.
Watt said the decision would be made when Tszyu was ready.
"The decision made within the team is that it's Kostya's choice and he'll make that with his family," he said. "In his own good time he will speak to his father [Boris] and his wife and himself. Whichever way he ends up going he'll know himself. None of us are going to pressure him."
Despite speculation otherwise, Tszyu said there was no clause in his contract for a Hatton rematch.
Lewis was criticised in some parts for stopping the fight with only one round remaining, with even Tszyu saying upon arrival back in Australia that he was not happy with the decision but "I respect Johnny's decision".
However, if nothing else, the resulting injury has justified Lewis's decision.
EXCLUSIVE By Paul Kent, townsvillebulletin.news.com.au
23jun05
KOSTYA Tszyu has revealed he suffered bruising to the brain as well as internal bleeding following his loss to Englishman Ricky Hatton earlier this month.
Tszyu had the tests done in hospital last week which determined the injuries.
Always the fighter, though, he said the injuries would have no bearing on whether he retires or pushes on for more fights.
The diagnosis again underwrites trainer Johnny Lewis's standing as the best cornerman in Australia after he elected to stop the fight rather than send Tszyu out for the final round.
Tszyu said the injuries posed no long-term threat and were more a result of 11 rounds he went with Hatton - and several other factors - than any potentially permanent injury.
"I can't release it for another couple of weeks but it's very, very simple, the reasons," Tszyu said.
"Flying is one of the reasons, and the fight, of course.
"But the check-up is fine really.
"It doesn't matter."
Tszyu took the tests as a precaution and was not surprised to find there was after-effects from his loss to Hatton, the fight stopped after Lewis ended it at the end of the 11th.
Tszyu said he was now fine and suffering no ongoing problems.
"I mean, everything is fine right now," he said.
"I don't have any problems."
Tszyu's manager Matthew Watt was reluctant to talk about the specific nature of the injuries.
He did, however, say they were unavoidable in a fight as tough as the one which saw Tszyu suffer his first defeat in eight years.
"I think he was a bit battered and bruised everywhere," Watt said.
"It was a tough fight.
"It was a war.
"I'm not going into bruising and bleeding and all that, there's nothing to say.
"We all saw how he looked after the fight, I think it speaks for itself.
"As far as the health side goes he went in for a check-up post-fight.
"Even though he was battered and bruised he has been given the all-clear for the future.
"There was no lasting or long- term issues."
Tszyu said he would take his time before making a decision on his future although two high-profile members of his camp - Lewis and wife Natasha - have stated publicly their desire to see him retire.
Tszyu said yesterday he was: "Not in a rush.
"I do not put any time on it. Just take it easy."
However he was adamant the bruising and bleeding "is going to have no reason for my decision.
"I am still healthy.
"In a matter of time it [will be] normal."
Instead, Tszyu was more interested in talking about Sunday's WBC super-lightweight bout between champion Arturo Gatti and challenger Floyd Mayweather.
He tips Mayweather on points.
He was also interested in when Zab Judah next puts his undisputed welterweight title on the line - in September against a yet-to-be- named opponent.
Watt said the decision would be made when Tszyu was ready.
"The decision made within the team is that it's Kostya's choice and he'll make that with his family," he said. "In his own good time he will speak to his father [Boris] and his wife and himself. Whichever way he ends up going he'll know himself. None of us are going to pressure him."
Despite speculation otherwise, Tszyu said there was no clause in his contract for a Hatton rematch.
Lewis was criticised in some parts for stopping the fight with only one round remaining, with even Tszyu saying upon arrival back in Australia that he was not happy with the decision but "I respect Johnny's decision".
However, if nothing else, the resulting injury has justified Lewis's decision.
Boxing is a pain business. I've said on many occasions that anyone who is willing to step into the ring has more courage than can be imagined. I'm judging them on their terms. They are fighters, they make millions, therefore I have the right as a consumer to criticize them if I wish. I don't want anyone to get hurt, but if the nature of the sport is to render your opponent unconscious, people will get hurt. 
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