Can the Tszyus become the greatest boxing family of all time?
Comments made by Tim Tszyu in the lead-up to his title fight against Sebastian Fundora, about his family becoming the greatest in boxing history, have raised the eyebrows of Cory Spinks.
Countless fighting families have left their mark on the sport, whether it be the Chavez clan, led by Julio Cesar Chavez snr and jnr, heavyweight champion brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, the deeds of Muhammad Ali and undefeated daughter Laila, or the legacy of Floyd Mayweather jnr and his uncle and father.
However, a strong case can be made that no single family has made a greater contribution than the Spinks family.
Leon Spinks and his brother Michael both won gold medals at the Montreal Olympics. Leon became the heavyweight champion after defeating the great Ali, while Michael held world championships in two world classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988.
And then Leon’s son Cory went on to become the undisputed welterweight champion and the IBF junior middleweight champ.
Tszyu predicts that his achievements, when combined with those of his hall-of-fame father Kostya and rising brother Nikita, will eventually result in the Tszyus being hailed as “the greatest boxing family to step foot on this Earth.”
Spinks, now 46, admires what Tszyu has achieved to date, but sees it a little differently.
“I think he’s on the right track to keep up his dad’s legacy,” Spinks told this masthead from his home in Florida. “He’s doing a great job and I really think he’s going to win this fight, too.”
Spinks is uniquely qualified to compare the respective family legacies. He and Kostya boast wins over superstar southpaw Zab Judah in their prime and the pair were once deep in negotiations to face off.
Tim and Kostya Tszyu in 2019.Credit: Getty
“We came close to fighting,” Spinks said. “I don’t know what happened, it was when I was fighting Zab. You know how boxing works, here and there promoters make agreements. But I would have loved to chase the great Kostya Tszyu.”
So does Spinks believe the accomplishments of the Tszyu clan will one day outstrip those of his family?
“Me and my uncle and my dad were all undisputed,” Spinks said. “I don’t think that will ever happen in boxing again, three undisputed champions coming from the same family.
“That history has been written, and it’s made to be broken, but I just don’t think anyone is going to crack that egg.
“They might be good, they might be real world champions, but from being that guy to being the undisputed champion, nah, I don’t see it happening.”
Regardless, Tszyu has the chance to achieve history on Sunday (Australian time). Should the Australian defeat Fundora at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, he and Kostya will become only the second father-son duo to be unified world champions after Leon and Cory Spinks.
On the line is Tszyu’s WBO belt, the vacant WBC welterweight title and, potentially, a super bout against Terence Crawford, considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Cory Spinks (with belts) poses with his promoter Don King (centre back), uncle Michael (right) and father Leon (left) after the undisputed welterweight championship bout in New Jersey.Credit: Getty
Tszyu views it as a chance to begin cementing his family’s legacy.
“Right now, my mentality has shifted to being the greatest boxing family to step foot on this Earth,” Tszyu said. “This is part of a journey, part of a process of doing something that no one else can say they have done.
“That’s due to my father’s accomplishments and what we’re heading towards.”
Tim Tszyu and Sebastian Fundora face off in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty
Tszyu took the bout against Fundora – “The Towering Inferno” has a 22-centimetre height advantage – on just 12 days’ notice after scheduled opponent Keith Thurman withdrew with a biceps injury.
“A big goal of mine has been just to conquer every aspect of life,” Tszyu said. “Not just boxing and sport, but every aspect of life: financially, mentally, spiritually. Everything is about growth for me.
“This is what we’re working towards, one step at a time.”
Boxing’s greatest families
Spinks family
Leon Spinks has won an Olympic gold medal and has a win over Muhammad Ali on his CV. His younger brother, Michael, also won gold at the Montreal Games and held world championships in two world classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the lineal heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. Leon’s son Cory was the undisputed welterweight champion and the IBF junior middleweight champ.
Mayweather family
Floyd Mayweather jnr is considered one of the all-time greats, undefeated in a 50-fight professional career that included 15 major world championships from super featherweight to light middleweight. His uncle, Roger, was a two-time world champion, while his father was Floyd snr and uncle Jeff also fine fighters.
Ali family
Muhammad Ali is still considered by many to be “The Greatest”, while daughter Laila retired with an unbeaten 24-0 record. Grandson Nico Ali Walsh has won nine of his 10 pro fights.
Klitschko family
Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko boast a combined 109-7 career record. The Ukrainian brothers dominated the heavyweight division, boasting more than 40 world title defences between them.
Chavez family
Julio César Chávez is an all-time great, a multiple-time world champion in three weight divisions. His son, Julio César Chávez jnr, held the WBC middleweight title, while other members of the family have also made their names in the ring.
Tszyu has captured the imagination of the American public with his willingness to fight anyone, anytime, anywhere.
“The Australian way of thinking in any sport is ‘Let’s go, let’s get it on,’” said Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings, who also guided Kostya’s career.
“We come to fight and they come to hide. We have really lit a fire under them over here, and they have embraced it.”
Should a Tszyu-Crawford bout eventuate, the “Soul Taker” is expected to pocket up to $US10 million ($15.3 million). However, Spinks has cautioned Tszyu about taking on the best in the business.
“I don’t think he should go messing with Crawford – now that’s a totally different animal right there,” Spinks said.
“That’s greatness. I don’t think he should jump right into that one. I think he’s better off going after some of those other champs. Going after that one, that’s a problem right there.”
On the undercard of Tszyu-Fundora, another Australian has the chance to become a world champion. Michael Zerafa will take on the reigning WBA middleweight world champion, Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara.
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