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Kostya Tszyu’s status as one of the all-time greats will be confirmed in New York on Sunday when he is inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame alongside two other superstars.
Russian-born Tszyu established himself as one of the greatest light welterweights in history after relocating to Australia and turning professional following his win at the 1991 world amateur championships in Sydney.
The pigtailed pugilist unified the division and thrilled boxing fans the world over with his precise power punching which earned 25 KOs in a 31-2 record compiled over a 13-year professional career.
Tszyu will be the fourth Australian fighter inducted into the IBHOF after Young Griffo (1991), Les Darcy (1993) and Jeff Fenech (2002).
Now 41, Tszyu will be inducted in Canastota, New York on Sunday (Monday AEST), alongside Mexico’s multi-world title winning hero Julio Cesar Chavez, whom he defeated in 2000, and former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson.
They receive a gold ring as a memento while plaques recognising their career achievements will hang permanently in the IBHOF.
“I have achieved many things in my 30 years in boxing and this really defines that legacy,” Tszyu said from New York.
“I’m definitely in good company when you look at who else has been honoured over the years.
“It’s a big achievement and I’m so proud to have my family here with me to share in this special moment.”
Among the other boxing luminaries attending the four-day program of IBHOF festivities are Fenech, former middleweight king Marvin Hagler and at least one Tszyu victim apart from Chavez, Jesse James Leija, the opponent for his last Australian fight in 2003 in Melbourne.
Tszyu, whose last fight was was an 11th round loss to Englishman Ricky Hatton in Manchester in June 2005, has just started training Russian cruiserweight Denis Lebedev, whom he guided to a recent victory over American multi-world title winner Roy Jones Jr.
He would like Lebedev to challenge Australia’s current IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green, who has a title defence against American Antonio Tarver in Sydney next month.
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