Tszyu was born in Sydney, New South Wales, to Russian parents. His father Kostya Tszyu is of ethnic Russian, Korean and Mongolian descent and his mother Natasha Anikina is of ethnic Russian descent.[4] His father, Kostya, is a former undisputed light-welterweight champion who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.[5] Tim's first sporting interest began to develop at the age of six when enrolled in gymnastics and later switched sports to association football at the age of 10.[6] As a soccer player, he was selected to play for multiple local representative teams[7] but his interest in the sport began to wane at the age of 13 when he temporarily relocated to Moscow with his family for a few months before returning to Sydney. At the age of 15, Tszyu decided to quit football and began pursuing a career in boxing. He attended St George Christian School and Newington College[8] throughout his teenage years and enrolled in a business degree at the University of Technology Sydney following high school graduation.[9] His brother, Nikita, is also a professional boxer.[10]
Tszyu amassed an amateur boxing record of 33–1 before turning professional in 2016 at the age of 22.[11]
Professional career
Early career
After being away from the sport for four years due to a hand injury,[12] Tszyu made his professional debut in December 2016 when he defeated Zorran Cassidy by unanimous decision (UD) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[13]
On 31 March 2021, Tszyu, ranked #9 by The Ring, #1 by the WBO, #3 by the IBF, #7 by the WBA and #11 by the WBC fought Dennis Hogan who was ranked #10 by the WBC. Tszyu beat Hogan via a fifth-round TKO.[17]
Tszyu vs. Spark
In his next bout, Tszyu fought and defeated Steve Spark via a third-round TKO.[18]
Tszyu vs. Inoue
In his next bout, Tszyu fought and defeated a very resilient Takeshi Inoue, with a convincing unanimous decision win, winning on all three scorecards, 120-107, 120-107 and 119-108.[19]
Tszyu vs. Gausha
In his next bout, Tszyu defeated 2012 Olympian Terrell Gausha in his first fight in America at The Armory in Minneapolis. After suffering a first round knockdown, Tszyu recovered and dominated from the 2nd round to win convincingly by unanimous decision, 114-113, 116-111 and 115-112.[20]
WBO interim light-middleweight champion
Tszyu vs. Harrison
On 22 January 2023 it was announced Tszyu would take on former WBC 154-lb champion Tony Harrison for the WBO interim junior middleweight title on 12 March in Australia. He won the fight by 9th round TKO.[21]
Tszyu vs. Ocampo
On 18 June 2023, Tszyu made the first defense of his WBO interim junior middleweight title against Carlos Ocampo. He won the fight by a 77 second 1st round KO.
WBO light-middleweight champion
Tszyu vs. Mendoza
On October 15, 2023 Tszyu defeated Brian Mendoza to defend his WBO junior middleweight.[22][23] He was elevated to a full champion once Jermell Charlo faced Canelo Alvarez inside the ring for his undisputed super middleweight title on September 30, 2023.[24]
Tszyu vs. Fundora
On March 30, 2024 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Tszyu was scheduled to face former champion Keith Thurman.[25][26] The fight was set at a catchweight of 155 lbs.[26] On March 18, 2024 it was announced that Thurman suffered injury in training and withdrew.[27] He was replaced by former interim WBC 154-pound champion Sebastian Fundora in the 12-round bout for Tszyu's WBO super welterweight title and vacant WBC title.[28] Fundora won the fight by split decision.[29][30]
Post-title career
Tszyu vs. Ortiz Jr
Tszyu was scheduled to face Vergil Ortiz Jr. on August 3, 2024 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.[31][32] On May 30, 2024 it was announced that the fight was canceled on medical advice, with Tszyu requiring more time to heal from the injury sustained in his previous bout against Fundora.[33][34]
Tszyu vs. Murtazaliev
Tszyu was expected to make his ring return on September 22, 2024 in Australia, battling it out in the IBF super welterweight title eliminator.[35][36] On September 3, 2024, it was announced that Tszyu would challenge Bakhram Murtazaliev for his IBF super welterweight title on October 19, 2024 in Orlando, FL.[37][38][39] Tszyu lost by third round stoppage in a fight where he was knocked to the canvas four times before his corner threw in the towel to end the contest.[40][41][42]
