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‘Isn’t normal for him’: Tim Tszyu’s 4am hospital finish, Kostya’s pain as classy family acts revealed

‘Isn’t normal for him’: Tim Tszyu’s 4am hospital finish, Kostya’s pain as classy family acts revealed

Australia’s Tim Tszyu spent over four hours in hospital after his brutal IBF world title loss, but has emerged in good spirits and will fly home with his entire team on Monday.

Less than 24 hours after suffering the biggest loss of his career against Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev, Tszyu spent Sunday morning here in Orlando, Florida having coffee with his father Kostya and brother Nikita.

The previous evening, it had been Nikita who threw in the towel after Tim had been dropped four times in three rounds by Murtazaliev — who was as wide as 7/1 with some US bookmakers.

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY plus Australia’s Rob Whittaker taking on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev | SUN 27 OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

Tszyu: ‘What the f*** just happened?!’ | 02:02

Immediately after the shock upset loss, and as a precaution, Tszyu was transported to hospital for head scans — with his manager Glen Jennings reporting on Sunday that “everything came back great”.

The eventual diagnosis was a relief for the team given Tszyu had twice responded to media questions backstage after the fight with “I can’t recall”.

Jennings added that while his client was in “a bit of a bad way” afterwards, he spent Sunday mixing with family, friends, even sponsors.

He also revealed American promoters PBC had also pledged their ongoing support following Tszyu’s second straight defeat — having also lost a bloody, split decision to Sebastian Fundora in March.

“So Timmy will process this and come out the other side,” Jennings stressed.

“You just have to remember that what’s happened this weekend, it isn’t normal for him.

“That Fundora fight, it didn’t feel like a loss.

“This one does.”

Tszyu after KO loss: “Didn’t go to plan” | 03:11

Jennings said the three Tszyu fighters had all been able to spend some quality time together Sunday morning before Kostya flew home.

Apart from being the first time he had seen Tim fight live in eight years, it was also the first time in 11 years dad he had seen Nikita.

But while the fight legend had been a chaotic ball of energy way back at Tim’s debut, Jennings conceded this night had been tougher on the champ.

“Kostya was fairly quiet this morning, had a coffee with his boys and spent some time with them which was great,” he said.

“But I think it was a tough, emotional night for Koz, having to watch his son go through that.

“And his way of dealing with it was to be a little quieter and reserved this morning.

“But we all got together.

“Didn’t talk about the fight, just had a nice chat.

“Nikita in particular had got to spend some quality time with dad this week which was great.”

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While he wouldn’t be drawn on what was next for his star client, Jennings suggested it was highly unlikely Tszyu would fight in late December as initially proposed.

The agent, unsurprisingly, also refused to bite back at any of the post-fight discussions taking place online — including that Tszyu, despite only being 29, and following consecutive title fights, one of which he lost by split decision, should retire.

“You lost me when you used the word ‘online’,” Jennings said.

“Yes, it’s part of the world we live in now.

“Where people have the ability to say things and then we all see it, comment and everyone rolls on with it.

“But the only thing we went to share is that Tim is OK and he got beat by a better guy on the night.

“That’s boxing.

“And you have to remember that Tim has done to plenty of guys what Bakhram did to him last night.

“So as for what Tim does next?

“We’ll make that call in our time, not anyone else’s.

“We aren’t going to be put under pressure from anyone.”

3rd RD and Tszyu’s camp throws towel in! | 01:38

Quizzed on his fighter’s health, Jennings continued: “As a precaution, Tim spent a few hours up at the hospital.

“I think we got home about 4am.

“But that meant he had the full scans.

“They checked everything as they always do with head trauma — it’s a really comprehensive scanning system — and everything came back great.

“There was nothing to report.

“Nothing unusual.

“Tim was a bit dusty from the impacts but that’s it.”

Immediately after the fight, Tszyu was told he could brush the large contingent of waiting press.

Instead, the fighter with a growing popularity among press row here US said that he wanted to speak — and proved both brutally frank and gracious, just as he had been in the ring.

So impressive was the Sydneysiders’ performance in front of the cameras, American boxing star Caleb Plant even retweeted Main Events footage of the interview later, writing: “Good man. No excuses. Real good fighter. Rest up, regroup and we’ll see you again soon @Tim_Tszyu is great for the sport and even better guy.”

UFC 308: TOPURIA VS HOLLOWAY plus Australia’s Rob Whittaker taking on undefeated Khamzat Chimaev | SUN 27 OCT 5AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.

‘Psychological scar tissue’ ruins Tszyu | 02:11

Around midnight the previous evening, Tszyu’s mum Natasha had also approached a group of Australian media in the hotel lobby, thanking them for the ongoing support of her son.

Initially, Tszyu had planned to fly home to Australia this morning, the day after the fight.

Instead, the entire team has stayed on for another day, both as a precaution medically and also allowing Tszyu some extra time with his Hall of Fame father before he flew home to Russia.

Tszyu also spent part of the day mixing at the Caribe Royale Resort with friends and sponsors who had made the trip across for his second straight world title headliner.

Jennings and No Limit promoter Matt Rose also spent Sunday in meetings, although the agent to both Tszyu boys said it was too early to discuss what was next.

While Australia’s boxing bad Michael Zerafa has also suggested talks are already underway for a showdown between the pair, Jennings said it was far too early to be discussing Tszyu’s immediate future.

Same deal, he said, Tszyu’s fight week revelation that he plans to move Stateside in January to continue his boxing dream.

“We won’t be making any decisions on anything until Tim gets home and gets some more (medical testing) done,” he said.

All out war ends with judges controversy | 10:34

“Right now, we aren’t talking about next dates, or even next fights for Tim.

“That wouldnt be fair.

“From a business point of view, it’s a small pause until we get everyone in the same frame of mind

“I think we are all a bit burned from last night so it’s a good opportunity to take some time and then get back together in a few weeks.

“Again, for now our message is that Tim Tszyu is OK and we give full respect to Bakhram and his team.

“As Tim said, ‘I got beat by the better man on the night’.

“And this sport, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

“So you live through the highs, you live through the lows and you take the positives from both while moving forward.”