Tim Tszyu set to make US debut while brother Nikita will create Aussie history in his first fight

Tszyu is likely to face American Olympian Terrell Gausha on May 14 in the United States in a world title eliminator.

It is a major risk for the No.1 ranked WBO super-welterweight Tszyu, who will put his mandatory challenger position on the line by fighting Gausha in his backyard.

The rapidly evolving situation has taken this turn after Tszyu and Gausha were originally scheduled to be the co-main event of the super-welterweight unification rematch between WBO champion Brian Castano and WBC, IBF and WBA champion Jermell Charlo in Los Angeles on March 19.

However, that unification has been postponed after Castano reportedly suffered a bicep injury, with no future date determined yet.

Instead of waiting, and rather than trying to lure Gausha to Australia, Tszyu remained adamant that he wanted to fight in the US, and the final touches are being placed on the deal, including a venue.

Tszyu’s bout in 11 weeks’ time will mark one of rare occasions where an overseas fighter will walk out to an event in the US as the ‘A side’.

While unable to confirm the fight yet, Tszyu revealed why he is willing to take such an enormous gamble in the US when he could simply sit back and wait for Charlo-Castano 2 and fight the winner.

“Live your life with thrill, live your life with risk, and good things will happen,” Tszyu said.

“I’m talking in my career, financially, I’m trying to set my family up and I’m working on building my brand and building myself, making myself better.

“And that constant challenge that’s always there, being in training camp, feeling the struggles, they’re for these moments.”

Undefeated Tszyu (20-0, 15KO) will be looking to make a warning statement to the division against Gausha (22-2-1, 11KO).

But on Wednesday, Tszyu will be in the corner of his younger brother, Nikita as he makes his professional debut against Aaron Stahl on the Gold Coast.

“I’m nervous, but at the same time quite excited because this kid’s a beast, he’s got this killer instinct in him, he’s super skilful, he’s got all the tools,” Tszyu said.

“The best thing is he’s got this determination, he just wants to get to the top.

“I know what’s going to happen, I can’t wait to see Australia’s reaction to this kid fighting.

“I reckon Nikita bashes Michael Zerafa now.”

After a promising amateur career, Nikita spent six years out of the ring to complete a university degree, but says he is now ready for the bright lights of pro boxing.

“That kind of pressure sharpens me,” Nikita Tszyu said.

“The times I’ve started to get a little too cocky and confident, I started to lose myself. So the pressure of constantly being in the spotlight, it will sharpen me.

“I had to go back to basics, but in doing that I’ve gotten to sharpen my tools much better and have more in-depth perspective on how I want to fight.

“I expected the hard work rate, but it’s a shock to the body having to do it day in, day out.

“It’s super exciting that I get to see Tim develop into who he is. Over the last few years, the development is unreal, I’m super proud of him and really fortunate to have someone like that to look up to.

“Right before I spar, I’m watching him spar. I get to see his skill, everything he’s putting forth, and I get to learn from that right before I step into the ring.”

The brothers are strictly forbidden by trainer Igor Goloubev and grandfather Boris Tszyu to spar each other, in case “it gets too messy”, Tim revealed.

But the Tszyu takeover of Australian boxing is well underway and Tim said the sons of legend Kostya are both ready for history.

“People live their life in a mediocre way, doing the same thing over and over again – boxing is like that too – but we go through thrills and get opportunities that not many people will ever understand,” Tszyu said.

“To do it at a young age, to do in front of a nation, it’s unreal.

“I can’t wait for Nikita to experience the first time he walks out of the change room, for himself, how he’s going to feel, how he’ll deal with it, and that feeling that only 0.0001 per cent of people ever get to experience.”