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Tim Tszyu's team called out over 'dumb' move as Kostya's post-fight act comes to light

The Aussie boxer had his whole family at the fight with his team questioned.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·6-min read

Tim Tszyu's management has been savaged by a number of prominent figures in the boxing community as the Aussie was consoled by his father, Kostya, after his defeat to Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev. Tszyu may have watched his mega-fight deals go up in smokes on the weekend after he was knocked down four times in three rounds, before his corner threw in the towel to hand the 29-year-old Aussie his second straight defeat.

The Aussie was all class after the defeat having offered no excuses, but was just about speechless with what went wrong as Murtazaliev obliterated the Aussie with his left hook. Commentator Ben Damon said it was a 'one sided beatdown', on Monday morning and the loss was a worry for the Aussie.

Tim Tszyu's (pictured right) management has been savaged by a number of prominent figures in the boxing community for the matchmaking as father Kostya Tszyu consoled his son after the loss.
Tim Tszyu's (pictured right) management has been savaged by a number of prominent figures in the boxing community for the matchmaking as father Kostya Tszyu consoled his son after the loss.

"He didn't fire a shot. He didn't look himself...this is very damaging both physically and in terms for his career," Damon said on SEN Radio. And one of the big talking points from the fight was why Tszyu opted to go toe-to-toe with the bigger Russian in the ring. Tszyu appeared hellbent on walking down the Russian and exchanging with the taller man.

Tszyu was called out for this tactic having lacked head movement and falling into the Russian's game plan. Although Damon reported this wasn't originally the plan, but it all went out the window after the first knockdown.

"I think Tim did underestimate him, that can't be doubted now. His game plan, was apparently, not what we saw. Even so, once he took a couple of shots in the opening round he decided he would walk straight through the fire. That was not a smart thing to do," Damon added.

Tim Tszyu knocked down.
Tim Tszyu (pictured) is facing a huge career call after his second straight loss.

"If you walk straight into a guy like that, you are going to pay for it. Tim Tszyu tried, and tried again. It all went horribly wrong. I don't think it can be said that he gave the challenge that Bakhram provided enough credit. He took him lightly."

Fortunately for Tszyu, his father and Hall of Fame boxer Kostya Tszyu was an attendance at a fight for the first time since 2016. And while the 29-year-old wasn't able to get the victory for his family - with brother Nikita Tszyu also in attendance - Damon admitted he was consoled and offered words of advice from his father.

"It wasn't the evening Kostya wanted and it certainly wasn't the evening Tim wanted. One thing at least, he did have his father around in those moments and consoling him," Damon added. "Giving him words of advice. He had a couple of brutal losses in his own professional career."

"The one I really felt sorry for is Natasha, his mum. She is just distraught. I don't think she will be going to a boxing event again."

Father Kostya and brother Nikita Tszyu were there to console Tim Tszyu (pictured far left) after his loss.
Father Kostya and brother Nikita Tszyu were there to console Tim Tszyu (pictured far left) after his loss.

Tszyu's loss all but sees the potential $38 million fight with Terence Crawford or Errol Spence Jnr evaporate with the Aussie now needing to build back his aura in the boxing world. And while Tszyu has remained adamant he is a throwback boxer and would fight anyone, fans have questioned his team for matching him up with Murtazaliev.

While Tszyu was heavy favourite, and little was known of Murtazaliev outside of the boxing world, boxers have questioned why the Aussie's team threw him in the ring against a bigger and taller opponent right after a loss. Boxer Andre Berto claimed it was 'dumb' matchmaking to throw Tszyu straight back into the ring in a risky bout against a knockout artist.

He also suggested it could be very hard for Tszyu to come back and dominate after taking so many telling blows in the fight. Many boxers are not the same after such a one-sided defeat, which is a worry for Tszyu. While Berto and a few were at the belief Tszyu's team made a mistake, others applauded Tszyu for not ducking anyone out there and giving fans what they crave.

Tszyu will have a huge career decision next on where he will go with his dream of reaching the pinnacle of the 154 pound division taking a monumental setback. Tszyu's plan to fight one more time in 2024 may have also been derailed after numerous knockdowns in his defeat.

"Things didn't go to plan. The better man one tonight. No excuses...boxing isn't meant to be perfect," a devastated Tszyu said in the ring after the fight. "After the first shot, things didn't go to plan. That is part of boxing. You get hit and your reactions are a bit slower. But the victory belongs to Bakhram tonight."