Kostya Tszyu

Kostya Tszyu is one of the greatest boxers that the sport has ever seen, boasting a professional record of 31 wins, 2 losses, and 25 knockouts. His career spanned over 13 years, from 1992 to 2005, during which time he established himself as one of the most dominant super-lightweight world champions in history.

Born in Serov, Russia, Tszyu turned professional at the age of 22, making his debut against Darrell Hiles on March 1, 1992. He made an instant impact, winning the fight via first-round TKO and establishing his reputation as an aggressive and powerful fighter.

Over the next few years, Tszyu went on a winning streak, racking up 17 consecutive victories, including 13 via stoppage. By 1995, he was ready for his first world title bout, and on January 28 of that year, he took on Jake Rodríguez for the super-lightweight IBF title.

The fight was one-sided from the outset, with Tszyu dominating his opponent and eventually stopping him in the sixth round via TKO. With this victory, he became the super-lightweight champion of the world, and he would go on to defend his title numerous times over the next decade.

One of Tszyu's greatest strengths as a boxer was his knockout power - he secured 25 KO wins over the course of his career, including 11 in world-title fights. He was a ruthless and relentless competitor, who never backed down from a challenge.

His career was not without its setbacks, however. Tszyu suffered two losses in his professional career, both in title bouts, and both via stoppage. His first defeat came in May 1997, when he lost to Vince Phillips via a 10th round TKO.

Despite this setback, Tszyu bounced back and continued to rack up victories over some of the best fighters of his generation. He was known for his devastating punches, precision footwork, and ability to read his opponents' movements and strategies with ease.

Some of Tszyu's best fights and most notable victories include wins over Julio César Chávez, Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Jesse James Leija, Rafael Ruelas, and Roger Mayweather.

In August 1999, Tszyu won the WBC super-lightweight title from Miguel Angel Gonzalez, defeating him via a 10th round TKO. In July 2000, he successfully defended the WBC super-lightweight title against Julio César Chávez, winning the fight via a 6th round TKO.

One of Tszyu's most impressive achievements came in November 2001, when he became the undisputed super-lightweight world champion by defeating Zab Judah via a 2nd round TKO. With this victory, he held the WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and The Ring super-lightweight world-champion belts.

Tszyu's last professional fight was a super-lightweight title defense bout against Ricky Hatton on June 4, 2005. In a grueling and closely contested fight, Tszyu ultimately lost via an 11th round RTD, which ended his impressive title reign and his status as a dominant force in the sport.

Despite this defeat, Tszyu's legacy as one of the greatest boxers in history has endured. In 2011, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and his achievements in the ring continue to inspire and captivate boxing fans around the world.

Overall, Kostya Tszyu was a boxer who exemplified the qualities of dominance, aggression, and precision. He was a true champion who always sought to improve his skills and push his limits, and his achievements in the ring will be remembered for generations to come.

Kostya Tszyu Fight Record