Konstantin Borisovich “Kostya” Tszyu (born 19 September 1969) is a sovie born Australian former professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2005. He held multiple world championships at light welterweight, including the undisputed and lineal titles of that division between 2001 and 2005. Tszyu was an exceptional all around boxer puncher who relied heavily on accuracy and timing, and carried formidable punching power; he is often regarded as one of the hardest punching light welterweights in the division’s history.

Undisputed light welterweight champion

Tszyu then began pursuing his wish to unify all the belts. In 2001, he began by facing wBA Champion Sharmba Mitchell, taking the belt by a TKO after seven rounds (Mitchell suffered a knee injury in training, and during the bout). His next fight was against the German Turk, Oktay Urkal. 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. A small melee inside the ring followed that fight when Judah attacked referee Jay Nady for what he felt was a premature stoppage, reacting by throwing his corner’s seat at the referee and even trying to choke Nady with his glove at one point. However, replays clearly show Judah walking on wobbly legs. As a result, Tszyu became the first man in 30 years to unify the belts in the light welterweight division.

Tszyu in 2002 had only one bout, beating the top ranked contender of all three of his belts, Ben Tackie of Ghana by a decision in twelve rounds. Tszyu lost only one round on only one of the judges scorecards in a masterful display of boxing.

On 19 January 2003, Tszyu began the year by retaining his title against former world champion Jesse James Leija by a knockout in six. After the fight, held in Melbourne, Tszyu announced that fight could be his last in Australia, due to pressure from promoters to fight in the United States (The win against Leija came on the birthday of Tszyu’s son).

Tszyu vs Mitchell II

His first fight in 2004 was supposed to have been held on February 7 in a rematch against Sharmba Mitchell. It would have been Tszyu’s first fight as a professional in Moscow, but Tszyu injured his sholder during training. He had successful surgery to correct the problem, but th injury further extended his absence from the ring. On November 6, he an Mitchell finally had their rematch, with Tszyu knocking Mitchell out once again, this time in three rounds. Tszyu was voted comeback fighter of the year by Ring magazine. The bout which was aired on American cable giant, Showtime, actually made the end of year highlight reel on rival cable provider, HBO. This was unprecedented.

Dethroned by Hatton