37 Facts About Kostya Tszyu

Kostya Tszyu held multiple world championships in the light-welterweight division, including the undisputed and lineal championships between 2001 and 2005.

Kostya Tszyu won consecutive gold medals at the 1989 and 1991 European Championships.

Kostya Tszyu would spend the next eight years undefeated, winning the vacant World Boxing Council title in 1999 and the World Boxing Association title in 2001.

Kostya Tszyu scored arguably his most famous win that year, when he knocked out Zab Judah to reclaim the IBF title, as well as the vacant Ring magazine and lineal titles, thus becoming the first undisputed light-welterweight champion in over 30 years.

In 2005, in what would be his final fight, Kostya Tszyu was stopped by Ricky Hatton.

Kostya Tszyu is considered by many in Australia to be a national sports hero.

In 2023, his son Tim Kostya Tszyu won the World Boxing Organization junior-middleweight title.

Kostya Tszyu's father was a fitter in a metal factory, whereas his mother was a nurse.

Kostya Tszyu impressed the Soviet amateur team coaches and he was sent to the Soviet Union's amateur boxing travelling training camps, where he visited more than 30 countries while training and fighting in tournaments.

Kostya Tszyu trained with that group 250 days a year, and won various tournaments, such as amateur boxing's world championships.

Kostya Tszyu was a member of the Soviet Army, but since he was selected as an elite athlete, he was not required to serve the ordinary duty.

Kostya Tszyu fought at the world championships , in Moscow in 1989, where he came in third place.

Kostya Tszyu was the only Soviet boxer to win a gold medal at the 1991 World Championships in Sydney.

Kostya Tszyu finished his amateur career with 270 fights, 259 wins, 11 losses, no stoppages and no draws.

Kostya Tszyu became world champion by knocking Rodriguez out in the sixth round.

Kostya Tszyu found himself twice on the canvas in round one of his fight for the interim belt against Diosbelys Hurtado, but recuperated to beat Hurtado by a knockout in five.

Kostya Tszyu became world champion in 1999 by knocking out former world champion Miguel Angel Gonzalez in ten, and twice retained it in 2000, beating Arizona's fringe contender Ahmed Santos in eight, and a 38-year-old Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez, the former world champion, in six at Phoenix, Arizona.

Kostya Tszyu was interviewed by Ray Wheatley on YouTube in 2011 and stated he regards his win over Miguel Angel Gonzalez as his best ever performance.

Kostya Tszyu then began pursuing his wish to unify all the belts.

Kostya Tszyu's next fight was against the German Turk, Oktay Urkal.

Kostya Tszyu finished 2001 by recovering his IBF belt in a unification bout with the current champion Zab Judah, by a knockout in the second round.

Kostya Tszyu lost only one round on only one of the judges scorecards in a masterful display of boxing.

On 19 January 2003, Kostya Tszyu began the year by retaining his title against former world champion Jesse James Leija by a knockout in six.

Kostya Tszyu's first fight in 2004 was supposed to have been held on 7 February in a rematch against Sharmba Mitchell.

Kostya Tszyu had successful surgery to correct the problem, but the injury further extended his absence from the ring.

Kostya Tszyu was voted comeback fighter of the year by Ring magazine.

Kostya Tszyu next fought on 5 June 2005, against British boxer Ricky Hatton, Tszyu lost this fight and his world title by RTD after retiring on his stool at the end of the 11th round.

Kostya Tszyu continued to train and stayed in shape since his 2005 loss to Ricky Hatton.

On 19 April 2010, Kostya Tszyu appeared on Long Lunch Today, an Australian TV program.

Kostya Tszyu initially moved with his family to Moscow in 2008, but they returned to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

In September 2012, Kostya Tszyu left his family in Australia while he moved full-time to live in Russia.

Kostya Tszyu is married to Tatiana Averina, with whom he has two children, and runs a restaurant in Moscow.

Kostya Tszyu is an animal lover who owns several pets including Viking, a rottweiler who has been Kostya Tszyu's companion since he arrived in Australia; Jake, his pet diamond python; canaries and fish.

Kostya Tszyu appeared with the animals on the pet show Harry's Practice in 2002.

Kostya Tszyu has been in several court battles with his managers.

Kostya Tszyu was ordered to repay $3.5 million to his former manager Bill Mordey in an unrelated civil suit.

In journalist Paul Kent's biography of long time trainer Johnny Lewis, allegations were made that Kostya Tszyu had underpaid Lewis for his services.