LAST month, it was revealed that Tim Tszyu had left long-time trainer Igor Goloubev, following a run of three defeats in four contests. Now, ‘The Soul Taker’ has appointed a new trainer, as he attempts to rediscover some momentum and become a two-time world champion.
Tszyu, 25-3 (18 KOs), surprisingly lost his WBO super-welterweight world title to Sebastian Fundora, before a devastating defeat to IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev when attempting to reclaim world honours.
The Aussie fan-favourite then bounced back with a stoppage victory over Joey Spencer on home soil, but another loss inside of the distance occurred three months later in July, when rematching Fundora for the WBC crown.
In response, Tszyu made the decision to appoint an ‘Australian Super Team’; consisting of Mike Altamura, Darcy Ellis and boxing legend, Jeff Fenech, 29-3-1 (23 KOs).
The 30-year-old also revealed that he had left trainer and uncle, Igor Goloubev, who had trained him for the entirety of his professional career, admitting he should have made changes following his previous losses.
“There is no particular reason [behind the sacking] because I am very grateful for what the boys did for me, especially my coach Igor, he started with me before I was even professional, back in my amateur days.
“But, I feel like I just wanted a little change. I feel like I am in that position right now, to have that little change, and now I’m coming in with this mentality that this is the 2.0.
“This is my next chapter, in my other losses I should’ve changed little things around, and this is my time now.”
As a result, the former WBO titlist embarked on a trip to the United States to train at a multitude of different gyms and under a variety of different trainers, in the hopes of discovering a coach that can guide him back towards the 154lb elite.
Last on his trip was the man whom he has opted for, Miami’s Pedro Diaz, based at the Mundo Gym in Florida.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia, Tszyu declared that he has already seen ‘noticeable’ improvements whilst working under the former trainer of Miguel Cotto and Guillermo Rigondeaux.
“For a long time now, I’ve been stuck in my ways. Doing everything the same. Because of that, I wasn’t moving upwards, I was staying in the same spot. So, this time now, it is absolutely a growth period for me.”
“I was in that style where you’re strong, fit and brawl. But boxing is about more than that. There is a lot more involved, a lot more thinking, and that’s what Pedro is already bringing out in me. They’re little changes, but noticeable ones.”
Tszyu then went on to compare the impact that Diaz had on Cotto and admitted that, because his style is akin to that of the Puerto Rican legend, this will be a ‘similar project’.
“He [Diaz] changed Miguel Cotto quickly. And now he sees a similar project in me. We’ve got similar styles, a similar type of power and punches. So, he knows the tweaks I need.
“He’s already created a 10-week schedule that goes right down to the time I wake up.
“And you know it works because this is a man who has coached 21 world champions and eight Olympic gold medallists. It’s crazy.”
The 62-year-old Cuban recently trained Michael Conlan, and despite defeat to Jordan Gill in his lone outing under his tutelage, the Ulsterman maintained that Diaz ‘was one of the best coaches he has ever worked with’.
