madjack
22-01-2003, 03:41 AM
Kostya: I'm getting bored
By James Hooper
January 21, 2003
TRIPLE world champion Kostya Tszyu is cutting down opponents inside the ring with such ease he is becoming bored.
Tszyu - I can't go any higher.
The world's best junior welterweight yesterday admitted he is unsure where his career is heading after cruising to victory over Texan Jesse James Leija in Melbourne on Sunday.
While Tszyu still holds the desire to challenge the world's best, there are currently no fighters in his weight division even close to his crown.
After arriving home in Sydney yesterday, the man with the deadly right hand conceded he sometimes questioned what remained for him to achieve.
"Some time ago I reached my top – a level where I can't go any higher," Tszyu said.
"How long I'm going to stay here and what's the satisfaction and motivation I'm going to have . . . that's a different story.
"But I will let you know of my decision to continue boxing or not in the near future.
"There's still excitement in my body.
"[But] six rounds is not 12 rounds – when you do 12 rounds you're still excited but your body gets too tired.
"I will go home first, not to the gym, and sit down and discuss with my family what we're going to do."
For now, Tszyu is planning to shower his family in gifts and hold a huge celebration at his Sydney home.
"I haven't decided what I am going to buy myself yet but for the kids and my family they can have anything they want," Tszyu said.
When he is finished savouring his latest victory, Tszyu will catch up on some much-needed rest, admitting yesterday he had still not slept since Saturday night.
"Of course I couldn't sleep at night, that's normal," Tszyu said.
"Usually after fights I can't drink and I can't sleep."
If Tszyu does continue to fight, his next bout is likely to be held in Australia or his native country, Russia.
"It's been suggested I go to Russia – that's another possibility," Tszyu said.
"But it's so great to not have to travel for hours and hours."
Sporting a welt above his right eye, Tszyu was met by his wife Natasha and members of his extended family at Sydney airport yesterday.
His eldest son Timophey accompanied him on the flight from Melbourne to Sydney after being on hand to watch his dad's demolition of Texan Leija at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.
If the tenacious champion does decide to give away fighting for a living, there is still a strong chance the Tszyu name will live on in boxing folklore.
Tszyu recalled yesterday that it was only a couple of years ago Timophey dislocated his grandfather Boris's jaw in a playful fight.
"Timophey was only about three years old," Tszyu said.
"They were playing around and my father was just having some fun when Timophey hit him and he hurt his jaw."
The Daily Telegraph
By James Hooper
January 21, 2003
TRIPLE world champion Kostya Tszyu is cutting down opponents inside the ring with such ease he is becoming bored.
Tszyu - I can't go any higher.
The world's best junior welterweight yesterday admitted he is unsure where his career is heading after cruising to victory over Texan Jesse James Leija in Melbourne on Sunday.
While Tszyu still holds the desire to challenge the world's best, there are currently no fighters in his weight division even close to his crown.
After arriving home in Sydney yesterday, the man with the deadly right hand conceded he sometimes questioned what remained for him to achieve.
"Some time ago I reached my top – a level where I can't go any higher," Tszyu said.
"How long I'm going to stay here and what's the satisfaction and motivation I'm going to have . . . that's a different story.
"But I will let you know of my decision to continue boxing or not in the near future.
"There's still excitement in my body.
"[But] six rounds is not 12 rounds – when you do 12 rounds you're still excited but your body gets too tired.
"I will go home first, not to the gym, and sit down and discuss with my family what we're going to do."
For now, Tszyu is planning to shower his family in gifts and hold a huge celebration at his Sydney home.
"I haven't decided what I am going to buy myself yet but for the kids and my family they can have anything they want," Tszyu said.
When he is finished savouring his latest victory, Tszyu will catch up on some much-needed rest, admitting yesterday he had still not slept since Saturday night.
"Of course I couldn't sleep at night, that's normal," Tszyu said.
"Usually after fights I can't drink and I can't sleep."
If Tszyu does continue to fight, his next bout is likely to be held in Australia or his native country, Russia.
"It's been suggested I go to Russia – that's another possibility," Tszyu said.
"But it's so great to not have to travel for hours and hours."
Sporting a welt above his right eye, Tszyu was met by his wife Natasha and members of his extended family at Sydney airport yesterday.
His eldest son Timophey accompanied him on the flight from Melbourne to Sydney after being on hand to watch his dad's demolition of Texan Leija at Melbourne's Telstra Dome.
If the tenacious champion does decide to give away fighting for a living, there is still a strong chance the Tszyu name will live on in boxing folklore.
Tszyu recalled yesterday that it was only a couple of years ago Timophey dislocated his grandfather Boris's jaw in a playful fight.
"Timophey was only about three years old," Tszyu said.
"They were playing around and my father was just having some fun when Timophey hit him and he hurt his jaw."
The Daily Telegraph