Here’s yet another comparison between Tim Tszyu’s career and that of his famed father, Kostya – but we promise this one’s worth it.

On January 20, 1996, at Parramatta Stadium, Kostya fought Colombian Hugo Pineda in his third defence of his IBF light-welterweight world title.

Kostya had been warm favourite all week but, as the main event drew closer, a rush of money was bet on Pineda.

Part of the reasoning was the challenger’s build and style: a southpaw, Pineda was 185cm tall, which gave him a significant 15cm height and 21cm reach advantage.

“They’re all awkward at that height,” Kostya’s trainer, Johnny Lewis, recalled when I reached out to him this week. “You don’t grow up fighting many of them.”

Grainy YouTube footage of the fight, which is worth watching just for Peter Peters’ superb commentary and Mark Warren’s enthusiastic ring announcing, reveals just how awkward it was.

“A pitbull against a praying mantis,” was Peters’ perfect description of the match-up.

Midway through a messy first round, Pineda whipped in a wild right hand that collected Kostya’s face, sending him to the canvas.

QOSHE - Pitbull v praying mantis: The danger man Tszyu must beat en route to boxing immortality - Andrew Webster
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Pitbull v praying mantis: The danger man Tszyu must beat en route to boxing immortality

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28.03.2024

Here’s yet another comparison between Tim Tszyu’s career and that of his famed father, Kostya – but we promise this one’s worth it.

On January 20, 1996, at Parramatta Stadium, Kostya fought Colombian Hugo Pineda in his third defence of his IBF light-welterweight world........

© The Sydney Morning Herald


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