Tim Tszyu has made a drastic change to his fight preparation ahead of his bout with Errol Spence Jr.
‘The Phoenix’ is looking to build back to winning world championship titles after three losses in his last six fights saw him lose the WBO light middleweight title and miss out on the IBF and WBC light middleweight belts.
Since his loss to Sebastian Fundora, the New South Wales fighter has recorded back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Anthony Velazquez and Denis Nurja.
But that doesn’t seem to have been enough for the son of former world champion Kosta Tszyu, who has opted to sack his entire team less than a month after his latest victory.
That included cutting ties with head trainer Pedro Diaz, strategic adviser Mike Altamura and manager Darcy Ellis.
Aussie icon Jeff Fenech has since confirmed that he is set to become Tszyu’s new head trainer and manager.
Tim Tszyu has made the decision to sack his entire team ahead of a fight with Errol Spence Jr
That decision has also coincided with a rather public falling out with brother Nikita
‘The Phoenix’ will now to turn to Aussie legend Jeff Fenech (pictured, left) to help prepare for his next bout
Fenech told foxsports.com.au, ‘I’m 100 percent convinced that Tim Tszyu can be world champion again.’
Tszyu’s soon-to-be trainer and manager was one of the more outspoken voices against his corner’s decision to let him continue with sickening cut in his first loss to Fundora that caused his career to stall, as he could have gotten away from the fight with a ‘no contest’.
The decision marks the second time since October – when he sacked manager Glen Jennings and trainer Igor Goloubev – that he has made such a drastic change.
And has also come off the back of a turbulent time for the former world champion, with confirmation arising that his relationship with his brother has soured.
Tim simply responded with two laughing emojis when his brother Nikita, explained that he missed the win over Nurja due to illness.
Instead Tim told Nikita not to show up at the fight, ‘I don’t want to get into it too much, I know you guys feed off the spicy drama and everything that’s happening between us, but you are correct,’ Nikita said when asked if Tim banned him from his fight.
Nikita has responded in kind, saying ‘I don’t care. I don’t care at this point.
‘I’m not fussed about anything. My fight is my fight, I only really need my time.
‘They’re the ones I need behind me.
It would appear that the falling out stems from Tim’s aforementioned axing of Glen Jennings.
The two have engaged in legal representation over money and it has been said that Nikita sided with Jennings, who still manages ‘The Butcher.’
Tim’s new manager, Fenech, has already got to work to help deal with any issues, ‘But just so you know, I’ve got one of the best legal teams in Australia helping with all that,’ Fenech said. ‘Because Tim only needs one thing on his mind, and that’s to box.
‘Forget everything else.
‘And when the truth in all that comes out … yeah, won’t be a problem.
‘Which is now why I’m there.
‘And why I’ve put that legal team in place. They’re the best of the best.
‘So we’re fine.
‘I’m 100 per cent confident that, when it comes time to go into camp for Spence, that won’t be a distraction at all.
‘When Tim is at the gym, he can just train knowing this legal team will be looking after things. Same as they will then help with the management side of things moving forward.’
