Tim Tszyu’s brother signs deal to become professional boxer

Tim Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita has signed a deal to become a professional boxer and is expected to make his debut next February.

The Sunday Telegraph reports six years after stepping away from boxing, Nikita, 23, plans to emulate world title contender Tim and their legendary father Kostya.

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“I want to achieve that greatness,” he said.

Nikita has signed with manager Glen Jennings, who oversaw Kostya’s career and is now in charge of Tim’s campaign to be a world champion.

“The Tszyu boys don’t come along very often, Kostya created two of them, that’s it, there’s no more,” Jennings said.

“We know the comparisons will come, it’s inevitable and we’ll handle it.”

Tim Tszyu, who comprehensively defeated Takeshi Inoue last Wednesday night to move to 20-0 (15KO) as a pro and is on the verge of fighting for the WBO super-welterweight title next year, has no doubt Nikita can cut a similar path.

“Nikita is a natural lion, he’s got animal instinct in him,” said Tim, 27. “As soon as he gets into the ring, he’s a kicker.

“Growing up, I didn’t have that. I was always the calm guy in the ring, I would think before I do. He doesn’t think before he does, he just does.

“And that’s our personalities.

“I’ve always had to lead the way, and Nikita’s had to chase.”

Nikita added: “I have someone to chase, and he has someone to run away from.”

A supremely talented amateur who won multiple national titles, Nikita was seen by many as the Tszyu son who would go on to achieve glory in the ring.

However, he made the choice in 2015 to step away from the sweet science to focus on his education.

Tim spent two years out of the ring focusing on study before turning professional in 2016, and is now the face of Australian boxing.

After completing a degree in architecture, and living the party lifestyle, Nikita is ready to follow his older brother.

“I’m actually very fortunate that I went through that stage because I got it out of my system,” Nikita said. “Now I have my head clear and I know exactly what I want, I want to achieve that greatness.

“I want to achieve the level that I feel I can achieve, and that all comes with sacrifice.”

Kostya Tszyu, only the second Australian fighter to be a unified boxing champion behind Lionel Rose, will watch on from his Moscow home and advise his youngest boy as he has done with Tim.

“We respect that Kostya opened up the door, we respect what he achieved,” Jennings said.

“But Kostya, in some respects, is long gone. He’s living his own life and doing his thing, and these boys are creating their own pathway forward, and it’s a sign of respect for what he achieved, the fact that he created something that these boys aspire to.

“And I believe there’s every chance they’ll both get there, but that’s on them.”

You can read more about Nikita Tszyu’s move in The Sunday Telegraph

Originally published as Tim Tszyu’s brother signs deal to become professional boxer