Russian Boxer Becomes a Big Hit Down Under

He’s a Russian who’s only lived in Australia for two years, but unbeaten junior-welterweight boxer Kostya Tszyu is well on his way to becoming the latest hero in this sports-crazy nation.

The 24-year-old from the Ural Mountains has an engaging smile, speaks English with an Aussie accent, and can fight.

Tszyu turned professional after winning the world amateur title in 1991. He ended his amateur career with a 259-11 record and based himself in Sydney under the care of trainer Johnny Lewis.

His latest victory--a ninth-round TKO win over Puerto Rican Angel Hernandez on Monday night--was beamed on a pay-per-view basis to pubs and clubs around Australia and many venues reported sellouts.

At The Oaks, a yuppie pub in the upscale Neutral Bay area of Sydney, up to 200 fans crowded around the televisions, shouting and screaming encouragement to Tszyu.

“Deck him!” shouted one woman. “Hit him hard!” screamed another.

Almost 6,000 fans watched the fight at the Newcastle Entertainment Center, 100 miles north of Sydney. Bill Mordey, Australia’s leading boxing promoter, describes Tszyu’s following as “phenomenal.”

“Kostya is not only an exciting fighter, but he has a great personality,” said Mordey. “Australians respect him for that.”

Tszyu has fought only twice in the United States, knocking out Steve Larrimore of Bahamas in Memphis, Tenn., and outpointing Mexican Hector Lopez in Tampa, Fla., but he’s already grabbing international headlines.

He’s won all 12 of his fights and only three opponents -- two of them former world champions--have lasted the distance.

Tszyu, already ranked No. 1 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 3 by the World Boxing Council, bases his strategy on all-out aggression and clever defensive skills.

“He is a freakishly talented fighter,” says trainer Lewis, who has handled two world champions in Jeff Fenech and Jeff Harding. “He’s special, and he’ll be ready to win a world title whenever we get the chance.”

Hernandez, whose only loss in 42 professional fights was in a world title bout against Julio Cesar Chavez, was the fifth of Tszyu’s foes to make it past the second round.

He needed 10 stitches in a gash over his right eyebrow after tangling with the baby-faced, pony-tailed Russian, who will become an Australian citizen this year.

Tszyu has quickly settled into the Australian lifestyle.

He and wife, Natasha, live in the Sydney suburb of Sans Souci, five minutes from the beach, where he enjoys surfing.

Promoter Mordey’s plans for Tszyu include a world title fight one day in Moscow. His immediate target, though, is a challenge to the current IBF champion, Jake Rodriguez of the United States.