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Spencer prepares for ‘BEST’ Tim Tszyu | 04:49
Tim Tszyu, every time he goes for a walk now, has largely stopped thinking about muscle cars.
Which in part, is due to Alexander Volkanovski.
“A fighter,” Tszyu says, “whose mentality I’ve tried to adopt”.
And Volk?
“Whenever I’ve heard people counting Tim out recently,” he shrugs, “I just think, ‘Are you serious?’
“With me, I understand why people are saying it.
“And they have every right.
“But Tim?
“While I know he’s coming off a couple of losses like myself, some of the criticism he’s copping is just unfair.
“Still, we now have the chance to get out there and change those opinions.
“So for anyone to say Tim Tszyu is done … it really is silly.”
Tszyu vs Spencer | SUN 6 APRIL 11AM AEDT | Tim Tszyu makes his highly anticipated return to the ring as he looks to push himself back into world title contention against Joey Spencer | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports >
Considered Australia’s biggest combat stars only a year ago, Volkanovski and Tszyu suddenly find themselves in hyped April headliners that – set to take place only seven days apart – will either resurrect their careers, or likely end them.
On Sunday week in Newcastle, Tszyu throws down against dangerous American prospect Joey Spencer, determined to resurrect his career after dropping consecutive title shots against Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Volkanovski, meanwhile, is looking to regain his own UFC featherweight crown a week later in Miami – and against breakout Brazilian Diego Lopes.
For Volk, now 36, the opportunity to become a two-time champ arrives after having himself also lost consecutive world title bouts against Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev – both of which came via brutal KO.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the two fighters, and good mates, noted the synergy in them fighting just seven days apart, against prospects, and after both suffering shock title defeats – in which, most recently, both were also stopped.
For Volkanovski, the question everyone wants to know is: What have you got left?
While for Tszyu: What have you got?
Ironically, both men also find themselves in this situation after taking big risks at the start of last year – with the similarities going right down to the pair accepting fights against Makhachev and Fundora on only 12 days notice each.
Yet given Tszyu is six years younger than his UFC counterpart, Volkanovski cannot believe people have been so quick to write ‘The Soul Taker’ off.
“And for Tim, I don’t think it’s fair,” says the man who, for a time, was considered the greatest fighter anywhere on the UFC roster.
“Yes, he’s had those two losses.
“But they’ve also come after taking big risk.
“Plus, what happened in both of his most recent fights, I see them as easy fixes.
“Especially for a guy so young, a fighter in his prime.
“And that’s why I think the criticism he’s received is unfair.”
Of course, you’ve rolled the dice yourself, right?
“Yes, but I don’t think it’s silly for people to think I’m done,” Volk continues.
“People have every right to feel that way, especially after my last loss which was a bad one.
“But now I get to go out there in a couple of weeks and change those opinions … and I guarantee you I will.”
Alex Volkanovski. Picture: Getty ImagesSource: SuppliedTszyu, meanwhile, reveals he has used Volkanovski as inspiration for his preparations against Spencer.
“I’ve always looked up to Volk and the way he’s done things,” Tszyu says. “His work ethic, his professionalism, even his dedication to family … it’s a lot.
“And I’ve adopted a similar mentality.
“We’ve tried to catch up more recently – which just hasn’t worked out due to life – but I’d love to because with Volk, we can talk about things that I just can’t with others …”
Like what?
“The fall.” Tszyu says simply. “Then rising again.
“And how we’re both adopting different ways to come back.”
Tszyu added that as part of his preparations for Spencer, he has worked on staying more “present” during training and sparring.
“In a boxing ring, it can be really hard to stay present 100 per cent of the time,” he conceded.
“So that’s my focus this camp.
“To stay present.
“And I’ve been doing physical tasks in training – then replicating it in sparring – where I’m teaching myself to stay in the moment.
“I’ve replicated it in daily life too.
“Whenever I go for a walk, rather than just zoning out and thinking about cars – (laughs) which is usually on my mind 90 per cent of the time – I’m focusing on everything around me.
“Focused on what I can see, what I can hear, my breathing.
“And while, like Volk, I’ve had a couple of losses, I’m now using that as motivation.
“When I look at all the s*** that’s happened, I now think ‘OK, time to get back’.”
