Tim Tszyu has unveiled the experienced new fight crew which, he insists, can take him back to the top of world boxing – and after arriving on their Miami, Florida doorstep with everything “an absolute mess”.
Only three months after sensationally sacking his longtime coach Igor Goloubev and manager Glen Jennings, Tszyu has confirmed to Fox Sports Australia that a completely new corner will be supporting his hyped December 17 comeback against American Anthony Velasquez.
Already, the former world champion has confirmed Team Tszyu will be headed by esteemed Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz – whose more than 20 world champions include the likes of Miguel Cotto, Filip Hrgović and Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Tszyu vs Velazquez | Wednesday 17 Dec from 7pm AEDT | Tim Tszyu looks for redemption as “The Phoenix” takes on undefeated American Velazquez in an attempt to reignite his career. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Speaking over the weekend from his new base in Miami, Florida, the 31-year-old Sydneysider also announced that his new corner will include renowned cutman Osvaldo Nordelo – who is also working two world title fights in December – plus assistant coach Stefan Hubert, who is being specifically flown in from Serbia for the final 10 days of camp.
Tszyu hailed the experience of his new international corner, while adding that his ability to gel so quickly with the group is why he is now fast-tracking his return to the ring, less than five months after retiring on his stool against Sebastian Fundora.
The extensive overhaul also means Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita will likely not be part of the corner in three weeks’ time, while Australia boxing great Jeff Fenech – who acts as an advisor to the former world champ – is also not expected to be part of the fight night team.
Fenech has long been a vocal supporter of Tszyu and plenty of fans have been pushing on social media for the Hall Of Famer to have a hands-on role in his comeback.
Nikita, meanwhile, has never been a fulltime member of his brother’s team, however did famously throw the white towel during his tough IBF title loss to big punching Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev.
While Tszyu could still potentially have a fourth person involved, the 31-year-old says that decision will be determined closer to the event by Coach Diaz.
One option will be the famous trainer’s son, Pedro Diaz Jnr, given he has been working closely with Tszyu ever since his relocation to Miami, Florida.
The popular Aussie fighter has also had personal chef Omar Iferd alongside him for his entire US camp.
Tszyu stressed that while Fenech has been a “huge influence” on his career, and remains a key component of his comeback, all decisions on the corner will be made by Diaz – whose eclectic list of former clients also includes the likes of Felix Savon, UFC great Vitor Belfort, even contentious 2024 Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif.
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Quizzed on his new bond with Diaz, who has already outlined his plans to take Tszyu back to the top, the fighter replied: “I really see our relationship being like Mike Tyson and Cus D’Amato.
“In only a short space of time, he’s become like a father figure for me.
“And that means while there may be times where you might want to step in and question things, or try to make them more to how I might want it, everything is his call.
“Because I know he’s willing to go to war alongside me.
“And Pedro and his team, man, they’ve been together for such a long time and are so professional.
“They really know what they’re doing.
“I understand how important your corner is, and mine will be whatever the coach wants.
“Pedro likes to have people who have been with him throughout the process. People who are comfortable with him.
“So that’s what it will be.
“Because whenever I sit with him now, I feel comfortable.
“And I don’t want anyone getting in the way of that.”
Tszyu’s decision follows a rollercoaster two years that has seen him drop three consecutive world title fights – against Fundora, twice, and Bakhram Murtazaliev – while his original corner also came under heavy fire for a litany of dramas involving opponent choices, head cut treatments, even cornering advice.
After undertaking a solo trip to Japan in September to decide his future, Tszyu announced he would be parting ways with not only his longtime coach, and uncle, Goloubev, but also Jennings.
The fighter has also since confirmed that, moving forward, he will still be working with strength and conditioning coach Dave Barker, and also stresses he would have no problem using cutman Mark Gambin again.
Asked about the huge overhaul his career has taken since September, Tszyu says: “That’s the incredible thing, it’s still only three months ago that I was in the complete unknown.
“When I booked myself that ticket to America, I flew out with absolutely no plan. Nothing.
“Honestly, I had no idea what was happening.
“I didn’t really know where I was going, where I would end up, or how long I would stay.
“[Laughs] Initially, I booked some wrong flights, too. Then in Miami, I somehow put three of us in a tiny apartment with one bedroom and toilet.
“Things were an absolute mess …”
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But then, Tszyu recounts, he arrived early one morning at Diaz’s famed Mundo Boxing Gym.
“And boom,” Tszyu grins, “overnight everything changes”.
Incredibly, Tszyu says he was only 20 minutes into his first training session with Diaz when the fighter realised ‘yep, this is the guy’.
Within days too, the former champ was then on the phone to his new manager Darcy Ellis and matchmaker Mike Altamura, urging them to find him a comeback fight.
“Because I just felt so comfortable,” Tszyu stresses. “So I rang the boys and said ‘get me a fight’.
“That’s how good I feel.
“Like I really am about to display the very best version of myself.
“And given everything I’ve gone through recently, changing up my team, heading over here to the US … to be where I am right now, feeling the way I am, it really is cool.”
More than being the new Team Tszyu cutman, Nordelo is also a qualified physician who has spent years working alongside Diaz and his army of champions.
The doctor is also a sought-after cornerman in his own right, and this weekend will also be acting as cutman for WBA middleweight champion Erislandy Lara’s unification showdown against Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, who holds the IBF and WBO titles.
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A week later, both Diaz and his chief second will be involved in another world title fight involving Tszyu’s new training partner, Armenian cruiserweight Noel Mikaelyan – who throws down against WBC king Badaou Jack.
Given that bout takes place only four days before Tszyu’s comeback, Diaz has employed close friend Hubert, who doubles as the Serbian national coach, to fly into Sydney from Belgrade and assist with the final 10 days of camp.
It’s understood that immediately after Mikaelyan’s Los Angeles fight ends, both Diaz and Nordelo will head straight for the airport and an international flight to Sydney, arriving early on Monday morning – just 48 hours before the fight.
A commitment for which the fighter is incredibly grateful
“For Thanksgiving, I had dinner with Pedro and his family,” Tszyu continued. “And to sit there listening to all of his stories, all of the different fighters he’s worked with, the different experiences he’s had in fights all over the world … man, it’s incredible.
“And it’s not only Pedro.
“My cutman is also a doctor, and has basically been with Pedro since the start.
“Before cornering me, he will be going from Erislandy Lara’s world title fight – which involves three belts — to Noel’s world title fight for the WBC cruiserweight strap, then down to Australia.
“So these guys, they’ve spent years involved in big fights.
“And to now be surrounded by these people, to have their backing, it really is an honour.”