Tim Tszyu tracing Kostya's steps at iconic boxing 'Mecca' in Sebastian Fundora rematch

When it comes to students of nan game, fewer boxers are much attentive than Tim Tszyu.

Ahead of his world title rematch pinch Sebastian Fundora successful Las Vegas this weekend, nan Australian is eagerly anticipating nan opportunity to unrecorded retired a long-held dream by fighting successful nan iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena.

In doing so, he’ll locomotion nan way trodden by his celebrated father, former undisputed welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu.

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In 1995, Kostya wholly outclassed world champion Jake Rodriguez, dominating each speech and yet forcing nan stoppage successful nan sixth round, seeing him cod his first world title, nan IBF ace lightweight crown.

Then, successful 2001, nan venue hosted Tszyu’s astir celebrated victory, his second-round knockout of Zab Judah which near nan cocky American a stumbling messiness and crowned nan Russian-born Aussie nan undisputed king of nan 147-pound division.

More than 2 decades on, Kostya’s oldest boy will make that aforesaid walk.

“This is what it’s each astir for me. You tin conflict for world titles, you tin conflict for this type of stuff, but to beryllium fighting connected this stage, this platform, not galore group get to do that,” Tszyu told Sporting News successful Las Vegas.

“It’s a large infinitesimal for our family ancestors. 

“The greats person been there, they’ve lived and breathed done it. I want to consciousness that presence, I want to consciousness nan tone of each nan hardened warriors complete nan years.

“This is nan OG and it’s a large dream of mine. This is nan Mecca. Of people you want to do Madison Square Garden 1 day, but for me, nan MGM, Las Vegas, this is wherever boxing is at.”

Tszyu made his Las Vegas debut past March astatine nan T-Mobile Arena.

That juncture turned into a bloody nightmare for nan then-undefeated Sydneysider, arsenic a nasty trim connected his caput forced him to conflict done nan compromised imagination for 10 rounds, yet seeing him driblet a divided determination to Fundora.

Having defended his world titles once, Fundora sportingly granted Tszyu a rematch, pinch nan brace to do conflict a 2nd clip arsenic nan main support to eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s return to nan ring.

Tszyu’s head Glen Jennings, who besides worked alongside his father, said astir nan value of nan occasion.

“It’s astir 25 years since Zab Judah. I can’t judge that’s gone but nan memories are truthful vivid,” Jennings told Sporting News.

“I’ve sewage awesome memories of that night, nan ‘chicken dance’ and Kostya winning.

“I’m truthful happy for Tim to beryllium capable to spell down that aforesaid walkway, that aforesaid dressing room into nan aforesaid arena into a sellout crowd.

“This is nan eventual for Tim. It doesn’t get immoderate better.”

Following Fundora’s astonishment triumph complete Tszyu past year, location was uncertainty astir nan beingness of a rematch clause.

Jennings this week confirmed location was nary uncertainty this clip astir and that a trilogy betwixt nan brace was a chopped anticipation depending connected nan consequence this weekend.

“Sebastian’s nan champ, of people there’s different rematch clause. There could beryllium a trilogy,” Jennings said.

“[Fundora] was respectful and he honoured nan rematch clause from conflict one.

“He had to manus complete a loop to do it and we’re very respectful of that. 

“When Tim thumps him Saturday, location will beryllium an opportunity to ignite different rematch clause. 

“It would astir apt beryllium a awesome trilogy to do successful Australia and that would beryllium wherever we would emotion to return it but let’s spot really it each goes. 

“If each goes well, successful a cleanable world, that’s thing we’ll talk astir connected Monday.

“It has to beryllium built. That’ll beryllium a section connected Saturday night. If it’s a compelling fight, absolutely. 

“If it’s a complete and utter shutout, I don’t know, Sebastian whitethorn not want a trilogy. We’ll spot wherever that lands aft Saturday night.”

For Tszyu himself, he’s retired to put it to furniture erstwhile and for each astatine 1 of nan sport’s top arenas.

“I intend to put a fullstop, transverse retired nan ‘un’ from nan ‘finished business’ and get it complete and done with,” he said.