by James Slater: It has been almost three years since his last fight. On that occasion, the fighter many felt was going to become one of the all-time greats was humbled after eleven bruising rounds with Manchester’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton. But now, Kostya Tszyu is considering making a return to the ring.
Speaking in the Sydney Today newspaper, the 38 year old said there was a strong possibility he would resume his boxing career.
“I’m realistically saying it’s still a big chance, Tszyu said. “But it would need to be huge motivation. I would never fight [just] for money but it would need to be a big number. Some Russians offered me ridiculous money, bigger than I’ve ever had, but nothing concrete,” the 38 year old added.
While he may have left it too late, A Kostya Tszyu comeback would likely prove attractive to the majority of fight fans. A truly special boxer in his prime, a Tszyu who is only half what he once was would more than likely be enough to win a couple of meaningful fights. If he’s injury free, as he surely is right now, the 38 year old former long reigning light-welterweight king would also probably have little trouble getting back down to his old weight limit of 140 pounds. Always in great shape, it’s doubtful Tszyu will have let himself blow up too much.
If he were to come back and prove he still has what it takes at the top level, just imagine the mouth-watering fights Tszyu could engage in. How about a return fight with Hatton for one? Wouldn’t that fight sell! In the short interview above, Kostya spoke of needing huge motivation so as to return to the ring, the possibility of revenge over “The Hitman” would provide this in spades, surely?
Of course, this is jumping the gun, big style. Tszyu has not even made a definite decision about coming back yet, let alone who he would fight down the road if he did. But there would be no point in the great fighter coming back simply to face a couple of stiffs, therefore we can assume, if he does fight again, it will be against a top name.
Reclaiming a version of his old world title – now in the hands of Paulie Malignaggi, Junior Witter, Andreas Kotelnik and Ricardo Torres (with Hatton holding Ring magazine’s championship at 140) – would prove tough, but with as good a fighter as Kostya Tszyu you never know.