TRIPLE world champion Kostya Tszyu is refusing to rule out a comeback as he prepares to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York today.
The Russian-Australian will be in illustrious boxing company in the Big Apple, with reformed bad boy Mike Tyson and Mexican ex-champion Julio Cesar Chavez also to be honoured.
One of the meanest fighters of his generation, Tszyu continues to pour cold water on talk he is retired and is understood to be angling for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao or Shane Mosley.
It might be six years since Briton Ricky Hatton dealt out the second defeat of his career in a mauling in Manchester, but Tszyu remains in superb condition.
At 41, many would call it wishful thinking trying to call out three of today's best pound-for-pound boxers.
But The Sunday Telegraph has been told Tszyu is deadly serious.
RELATED COVERAGE
Kostya Tszyu into Boxing Hall of Fame Perth Now, 1 day ago
Tszyu, Tyson in Hall of Fame Courier Mail, 1 day ago
Tyson set for Hall of Fame induction The Daily Telegraph, 1 day ago
Hopkins in Green's sights FoxSports, 23 May 2011
Tszyu wants prodigy to fight Green Perth Now, 22 May 2011
Today, the focus will be all about being anointed into boxing nirvana - the Hall of Fame. Some of the legends of the fight game who will rub shoulders at the ceremony include Marvin Hagler, Ken Norton and Azumah Nelson.
"I have achieved many things in my 30 years in boxing and this really defines that legacy," Tszyu said.
"I'm definitely in good company when you look at who else has been honoured over the years.
"It's a big achievement and I'm so proud to have my family here with me to share in this special moment."
Former junior-welterweight world champion Tszyu will become the fourth Australian inducted into boxing's spiritual home in New York, joining Young Griffo, Les Darcy and Jeff Fenech.
Tszyu will receive a custom-made gold ring as part of the induction process.
The savage brawler, whose record reads 34 fights, 31 wins, 25 knockouts, two losses and one no contest, will also have a plaque hung on the Hall of Fame wall.
It completes a successful month for the Russian-Australian, who recently made a winning debut as head trainer with Russian fighter Denis Lebedev.
In southpaw Lebedev's first fight under Tszyu, he scored a 10th-round knockout over US legend Roy Jones Jr.
The Tszyu-Lebedev camp are now trying to tempt IBO cruiserweight world champion Danny Green into a fight in Australia.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nto-hall-of-fame/story-e6freygr-1226073524346
The Russian-Australian will be in illustrious boxing company in the Big Apple, with reformed bad boy Mike Tyson and Mexican ex-champion Julio Cesar Chavez also to be honoured.
One of the meanest fighters of his generation, Tszyu continues to pour cold water on talk he is retired and is understood to be angling for a superfight with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao or Shane Mosley.
It might be six years since Briton Ricky Hatton dealt out the second defeat of his career in a mauling in Manchester, but Tszyu remains in superb condition.
At 41, many would call it wishful thinking trying to call out three of today's best pound-for-pound boxers.
But The Sunday Telegraph has been told Tszyu is deadly serious.
RELATED COVERAGE
Kostya Tszyu into Boxing Hall of Fame Perth Now, 1 day ago
Tszyu, Tyson in Hall of Fame Courier Mail, 1 day ago
Tyson set for Hall of Fame induction The Daily Telegraph, 1 day ago
Hopkins in Green's sights FoxSports, 23 May 2011
Tszyu wants prodigy to fight Green Perth Now, 22 May 2011
Today, the focus will be all about being anointed into boxing nirvana - the Hall of Fame. Some of the legends of the fight game who will rub shoulders at the ceremony include Marvin Hagler, Ken Norton and Azumah Nelson.
"I have achieved many things in my 30 years in boxing and this really defines that legacy," Tszyu said.
"I'm definitely in good company when you look at who else has been honoured over the years.
"It's a big achievement and I'm so proud to have my family here with me to share in this special moment."
Former junior-welterweight world champion Tszyu will become the fourth Australian inducted into boxing's spiritual home in New York, joining Young Griffo, Les Darcy and Jeff Fenech.
Tszyu will receive a custom-made gold ring as part of the induction process.
The savage brawler, whose record reads 34 fights, 31 wins, 25 knockouts, two losses and one no contest, will also have a plaque hung on the Hall of Fame wall.
It completes a successful month for the Russian-Australian, who recently made a winning debut as head trainer with Russian fighter Denis Lebedev.
In southpaw Lebedev's first fight under Tszyu, he scored a 10th-round knockout over US legend Roy Jones Jr.
The Tszyu-Lebedev camp are now trying to tempt IBO cruiserweight world champion Danny Green into a fight in Australia.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...nto-hall-of-fame/story-e6freygr-1226073524346
