Tim Tszyu makes a stunning statement about his legendary dad Kostya just before title fight that will make or break his career

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  • Tim Tszyu wants to surpass his legendary father's accomplishments
  • Aussie boxer takes on Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas on Saturday

By DARREN WALTON FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: 07:33 BST, 16 July 2025 | Updated: 07:33 BST, 16 July 2025

Tim Tszyu has lit the fuse for an explosive world title rematch with 'dumb arse' Sebastian Fundora and revealed a burning desire to surpass his legendary father's career accomplishments.

Tszyu can join his Hall of Famer dad Kostya, a former unified super-lightweight champion, as a multiple world title winner with victory over Fundora in their WBC super-welterweight stoush in Las Vegas on Saturday (Sunday AEST).

Success would elevate the Tszyus to arguably the greatest father-son duo in boxing history.

Julio Cesar Chevas Sr and Jr are the only biological father-son pair ever to have both claimed multiple world titles.

The 30-year-old Tszyu is well aware of what is at stake at the MGM Grand in boxing's spiritual mecca.

'One of my desires is to just overtake my dad,' Tszyu told AAP after a training session in Vegas on Tuesday.

Tim Tszyu (pictured) takes on WBC super-welterweight champ Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas on Saturday

Tszyu (pictured with dad Kostya) says he wants to surpass his legendary father's career accomplishments

'Not in a disrespectful way but in a way that, if I'm able to do that, we can create the greatest Tszyu legacy, the greatest fighting family that's ever lived - and that's my goal.

'Two-time world champion's got a good ring to it, doesn't it? Timmy two-time sounds alright to me and that's what I intend to do.

'But the goal is always to move on. Two times sounds good, but then we move on to the next.

'The grind and the continuation and the pursuit of greatness never stops.'

Tszyu held the WBO strap before relinquishing it in a bloodied loss to Fundora in Sin City in March of 2024.

The American sportingly offered the Sydney slayer a rematch and the chance to capture the WBC belt after Fundora won a split decision last time around.

Tszyu won the opening two rounds before walking into the so-called Towering Inferno's elbow and opening up a savage gash on the top of his head.

Despite fighting for 10 more rounds half blinded by the tsunami of blood, Tszyu was awarded the fight by one of the three judges.

Tszyu said he's aiming to create the greatest fighting family legacy that's ever been

The pair fought last year ago in a bloody battle that saw Tszyu relinquish his title

But Fundora last week claimed Tszyu was not affected at all.

'It doesn't piss me off. If 100 people got the same question, I guarantee you 99 per cent of people will say that it affected me,' Tszyu said.

'A dumb arse accusation.'

Tszyu, though, does have a plan in place to hopefully avoid a repeat of the incident that derailed his hopes of unifying the division last time against 197cm tall Fundora.

'It's a bit hard,' the Australian said.

'It's not the elbow. It's when you work out orthodox and southpaw, our legs always clash.

'So someone's legs are going to clash and that's what it was. My legs clashed onto him, I fell over from that and I walked into his his elbow.

'I'll stay away but it's just about positioning and throwing punches not from certain positions.'

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