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Johnny Lewis knows a thing or two about boxing.
The legendary Australian trainer worked with the likes of Jeff Fenech, Jeff Harding and Kostya Tszyu — all of whom won world titles under his tutelage.
And it's the Tszyu name — specifically Tim Tszyu, the son of the Australian legend and former undisputed world champion, Kostya Tszyu — that's caught the eye of Lewis, once again.
"I honestly think he will be a world champion and a damn good one at that," Lewis said.
Like father, like son?
Tim Tszyu knows all too well the pressure that comes with carrying one of the nation's most famous boxing names.
It's unavoidable as he trains under the watchful eye of his uncle Igor Goloubev at the Tszyu Boxing Academy in Rockdale, in Sydney's south, surrounded by giant posters promoting his father's bouts.
"I was brought up in this gym … people say there's a smell about this place. I can't smell anything because I'm just so used to it. I'm so immune to it," Tszyu said.
"I remember back in school holidays people would be at the Easter Show or at the beach, I was stuck here in this gym and I was brought up with this."
He's also a dead ringer for his dad.
"More people start recognising you — there's a bit of more pressure but you know what, it really doesn't bother me because I'm representing my last name with honour," Tszyu said.
"My dad put it to that level where he's considered as the greatest Aussie boxer of all time and you know I intend to back it up, that's for sure."
So far, so good: The 24-year-old's professional career is off to a perfect 12-0 (10 by knockout) winning start.
But the newest Tszyu on the fight scene wants be his own man — he wants to create his own legacy — and the super welterweight's next fight, against Victorian Joel Camilleri, is for an Australian title.
And although he's still honing his craft in the ring, Tszyu's already grasped the art of pugilistic promotion.
"[Camilleri's] got the experience, he's got the age, he's got a bigger mouth, he's got a broken nose. I intend to make the nose the other way around," said Tszyu with a grin.
"I've always thought Australian boxing needs me and it's my time to shine."
Boxing journalist Paul Upham, who wrote a book on Kostya Tszyu, has seen the similarities between the former world champion and his son.
"Tim has a lot of the traits of Kostya, obviously following his father's career, watching videos of him, getting instruction from his father, so there's always going to be that similar sort of style," said Upham.
"Tim's a thinking fighter, you can really see the way he operates. He really thinks about the science of boxing."
'Cutting his own path'
With Lewis in his corner, Kostya Tszyu finished with a career record of 31 wins from 34 fights between 1995 and 2005.
And the boxing aficionado said Tim has inherited his father's talent and dedication.
"He's gifted, I see a kid who really wants it, he wants to do it under his conditions, he doesn't need his dad's name," Lewis said.
"He's cutting his own path through it all, I think that's important, I just like what I see.
"I saw him one night, he got sat on his backside. He got straight up and then dominated the fight — that's a good sign."
While Kostya Tszyu moved back to his native Russia in 2012, the rest of the family stayed in Australia.
Father and son remain in regular contact, especially in the lead-up to fights.
"Dad always plays a big role in my career. He's shaped me to be who I am with the discipline, with the work ethic, he's given me traits such as being able to work for everything," Tszyu said.
"He'll always say 'stay focussed, stay focussed' — that's the number one thing because once you lose focus that's when things start going down.
"If you remain focussed and positive to what you're doing, you're going to achieve big things."
The Tszyu dynasty
While some are quick to anoint Tszyu as the next big thing in Australia boxing, others have urged patience.
"He's in a novice stage of his career. Kostya had 300 amateur fights before he turned professional," Upham said.
"Tim's only had a handful of amateur fights, he's only had a handful of professional fights, really we're learning something about Tim every fight."
Tszyu has already flagged the idea of fighting former world champion Jeff Horn but knows he needs to win a few more bouts before that big opportunity — and pay day — eventuates.
"At the moment all I'm thinking about is this Australian title and that's all that's on my mind.
"I've got the Australian public behind me and it's going to be one hell of a ride."
Topics: sport, boxing, australia, nsw, sydney-2000, rockdale-2216