Australian boxing champion Tim Tszyu says his partnership with three-time world champion Jeff Fenech, only a few months old, was behind his historic win over Errol Spence Jr last weekend. Fenech was in Tszyu's corner for the fight, which came after the 31-year-old had lost his previous two super-welterweight bouts and was seen as a make-or-break moment for his career.
"Since I've gone to Jeff, I haven't been isolating myself anymore," Tszyu told the Daily Mail. "Bringing in a new team sort of gave me a break from training feeling like a military camp. I've felt more relaxed and happy."
Tszyu, who initially fought in the shadow of his father Kostya, a decorated fighter in his own right, said he has now forged his own path. "I feel like I'm at the peak. I love what boxing brings," he said. "I love who you turn into when you go into this sport. It's just you and your opponent. Anything is possible with one punch."
Fenech's approach to coaching Tszyu
Tszyu hopes the partnership with Fenech continues, and the 62-year-old coach believes Tszyu can become a two-time world champion, a feat that would make him only the third Australian man to achieve it.
Fenech said the early going was not easy, and that his first task was addressing Tszyu's mental state. "The first thing I had to do was fix his head because he had so much trauma. It was all personal at the start, and me showing I had his back," Fenech said.
"My first and foremost priority was to make sure Tim was happy. If there's any pressure on him, I'll let the air out of the tyre," Fenech said. He added that he had Tszyu come off social media and switch phone numbers at one point, noting that online criticism affected Tszyu's wife more than it did him, which in turn upset Tszyu.
Fenech said he brought in outside help to support Tszyu, consulting figures from other sporting codes. "I spoke to Wayne Bennett. I spoke to Graham Arnold every day," he said. "I wanted to make sure he was looked after."
Tszyu backs a new bout outside the ring
While taking a break from fighting himself, Tszyu is now backing a new match he will not be part of. He has teamed up with commentator Brett Whitford, who wants to settle a dispute with former NRL player Luke Bateman in the ring.
Whitford and Bateman have frequently disagreed over books, free speech and wokeism, and Whitford wants to resolve those differences through a fight rather than a debate. "It (the idea of the fight) is cool. It started as a joke," Whitford said. "I've been training. I stay in pretty good shape. We are similar weight range. I reckon it will be a great match."
The proposed bout is scheduled for October, giving both men time to prepare if Bateman accepts. Tszyu has already thrown his support behind Whitford, with the two pictured together recently at Tszyu's Rockdale gym. "I'm with Team Brett," Tszyu said. "I think (the idea of the fight) is great. For someone to say, 'Let's do it', that takes a lot of courage and respect. I really respect it."