http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/kostya_tszyu/74903 Recent articles about Kostya Tszyu en-us From time to time when we are not asking fighters tough questions, we like to think outside of the realm of pertinent issues relating to them and throw in some questions that people usually fail to think are good general questions. In the past we have asked fighters such as Chael Sonnen what historical person he would punch, living or dead. The questions we sometimes come out up with are ridiculous, like the one time we asked a fighter who wishes to be unnamed if he would lick a un named part of a animal for a certain amount of cash. He answered yes, but we rather not talk about it anymore. With that said, we mixed it up as we talked to Zab Judah about the biggest puncher he has faced in his storied career. When taking this into account, you have got to realize that Judah has faced just about everyone out there in professional boxing. From Amir Khan to Floyd Mayweather Jr, Miguel Cotto, Kostya Tszyu the list goes on and on. So in Judah’s opinion who is the hardest puncher he has fac... Fri, 17 May 2013 15:30:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zab_judah_feels_that_lucas_matthysse_is_the_hardest_puncher_he_has_faced/13640518 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zab_judah_feels_that_lucas_matthysse_is_the_hardest_puncher_he_has_faced/13640518 Zab Judah feels that Lucas Matthysse is the hardest puncher he has faced http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/zab_judah_feels_that_lucas_matthysse_is_the_hardest_puncher_he_has_faced/13640518 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/b/3b0aa8592a39e8b8a9f4b879816cb6f6de84fc81/mini/World_Welterweight_Championship_9cf0.jpg There is only one stepping-stone left between Alexander Povetkin (25-0, 17 KOs) and the World Championship bout with Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KOs). The current WBA Champion takes on Andrzej Wawrzyk (27-0, 13 KOs) this Friday, a must-win situation for Povetkin. Defeat is not an option or the hotly anticipated fight against the Ukrainian is over before it has even begun. The champion met up with his challenger for the very first time during today's press conference. This is what they had to say: Credit: Photo Wende Alexander Povetkin (WBA Heavyweight Champion): “I am putting my belt on the line, so this is a very important fight for me. I promise to give it all I have. My opponent’s name on Friday is Wawrzyk and not Klitschko. I am fully focused on him and want to give the fans inside the Arena a great show.” Andrzej Wawrzyk (Challenger): “As soon as they offered me to fight Povetkin, I accepted. This could be the chance of a lifetime. I have been in training anyways so I wa... Wed, 15 May 2013 17:11:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/alexander_povetkin_fully_focused_on_andrzej_wawrzyk_before_getting_wladimir_klitschko_next/13625282 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/alexander_povetkin_fully_focused_on_andrzej_wawrzyk_before_getting_wladimir_klitschko_next/13625282 Alexander Povetkin fully focused on Andrzej Wawrzyk, before getting Wladimir Klitschko next http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/alexander_povetkin_fully_focused_on_andrzej_wawrzyk_before_getting_wladimir_klitschko_next/13625282 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/3/536c79aa87ebf73e38fc6ae600fcfeeb81c7641b/mini/Vitali_Klitschko_v_a3f8.jpg Undefeated challenger Martin Murray is finishing his preparations for his upcoming fight against Sergio Martinez in Argentina, televised stateside on HBO. Before he hopped on a long plane ride, he was conducting a final workout in the gym. Right here, you'll get a glimpse inside his training camp, as both he and Ricky Hatton give their thoughts on the training camp, the match, and more. Take a look. Most people aren't giving Murray much of a chance against the middleweight kingpin, Maravilla. He'll also be up against a throng of fans in favor of countryman Martinez. Nevertheless, he seems pretty cool and collected heading into the fight, and it seems as if he has put the work in to prepare himself. As for Hatton, he seems excited about the fight from the promoter's perspective, and he talked about the scope of the event and the magnitude of it all, why they took the fight, and more. He compares this fight to his match against Kostya Tszyu, how he stepped up and not ... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:47:56 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/video_martin_murray_ricky_hatton_interviews/13439695 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/video_martin_murray_ricky_hatton_interviews/13439695 Video: Martin Murray & Ricky Hatton interviews http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/video_martin_murray_ricky_hatton_interviews/13439695 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png When 2012 is looked back on in later years, there will be many great memories for boxing fans. Undoubtedly right at the top of the list for most fans there is one fight that will long remain etched in the memory, Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez IV. However, it won’t be just remembered for its all-out explosive action, ending in one of the knockouts of the past decade let alone year, but also as the fight that ended the the mass hype and interest in what should have been the super fight of the generation, Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. It seems like it is becoming the norm in boxing for fans to be deprived of these mega-fights, and in honor of that dishonorable fact, below I count down a list of the 10 biggest fights from the last 20 years that were never made. 10. Kelly Pavlik vs. Arthur Abraham In 2008, Abraham and Pavlik were arguably the two finest middleweights on the planets. Abraham held the IBF strap while Pavlik possessed the WBC and WBO titles. With Abraham hav... Thu, 03 Jan 2013 09:07:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/10_biggest_fights_of_the_past_20_years_which_didnt_happen_part_1/12566758 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/10_biggest_fights_of_the_past_20_years_which_didnt_happen_part_1/12566758 10 Biggest fights of the past 20 years which didn’t happen: Part 1 http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/10_biggest_fights_of_the_past_20_years_which_didnt_happen_part_1/12566758 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Fake WBA Heavyweight Champion Alexander Povetkin, who for the first time in his career was prepared by Kostya Tszyu, presented himself in best form at the fully packed Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany on Saturday. He won against former champion Hasim Rahman (50-8-2, 41 KOs) within two rounds in front of 4,000 spectators, and moves towards a showdown with Wladimir Klitschko. Also on the card, Kubrat Pulev scored an impressive TKO victory over the colossus Alexander Ustinov. The start of the fight seemed to be on level terms but very quickly, Povetkin took control. After a well-placed left hook, followed by a barrage of big blows, Rahman started tumbling. Povetkin took full advantage of the situation and continually kept the pressure on his opponent, who was not able to defend himself anymore. Therefore, the referee stopped the bout after one minute and 46 seconds of round two. "Wladimir Klitschko takes on Mariusz Wach from Poland next. The winner has until the end of February to f... Sun, 30 Sep 2012 11:32:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/full_results_from_hamburg_povetkin_pulev_culcay_impress_in_wins/11846362 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/full_results_from_hamburg_povetkin_pulev_culcay_impress_in_wins/11846362 Full results from Hamburg: Povetkin, Pulev & Culcay impress in wins http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/full_results_from_hamburg_povetkin_pulev_culcay_impress_in_wins/11846362 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Alexander Povetkin made short work of Hasim Rahman on Saturday night in Hamburg, Germany, in front of about 4,000 fight fans for a bout which was televised in the United States on Epix. The 33-year-old was in the first fight under the tutelage of his new coach, Kostya Tszyu, and appeared in top form while dispatching of a completely ridiculous opponent in Hasim Rahman, winning by second round TKO. The first seconds of the championship fights proceeded still pretty balanced. But then it quickly became apparent that Povetkin was the better man in the ring. Geez, who woulda thought? Even in the first of the challenger crumpled the first time after a crisp straight right, but was able to stay on his feet. The defending Fake WBA champion took the initiative in the second round once again. Precise combinations punctuated with big straight rights drove Rahman to the ropes. There, Povetkin poured on the punishment as referee Gustavo Padilla looked on. After a tremendous left hook, the... Sun, 30 Sep 2012 01:41:48 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/povetkin_wins_via_tko2_over_rahman_in_complete_joke_of_fight/11844682 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/povetkin_wins_via_tko2_over_rahman_in_complete_joke_of_fight/11844682 Povetkin wins via TKO2 over Rahman in complete joke of fight http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/povetkin_wins_via_tko2_over_rahman_in_complete_joke_of_fight/11844682 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/4/748232d300f699b7e5004ec6fb781c6a205d6ec3/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f71637244.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D00A946E7A0BE6A732.jpg The fight for the (fake) WBA World Heavyweight Championship is getting closer. On September 29, defending champion Alexander Povetkin (24-0, 16 KOs) and mandatory challenger Hasim Rahman (50-7-2, 41 KOs) will battle it out at the Sporthalle Hamburg, Germany. Since his last bout against Marco Huck, a lot has changed for team Povetkin. With ring legend Kostya Tszyu he has someone in his corner, who will help him to exploit his full potential. In the following interview Povetkin talks about his new training and his thoughts on facing Rahman. Alexander Povetkin, your last fight against Marco Huck was seven months ago. A lot has been said since then. Now that you had time to reflect, what are your thoughts on that topic? Credit: Wilhelm Springer Alexander Povetkin: It was a hard and tough battle, and both of us had to go to the limits of our capacity. However, in the end I beat Marco as I landed the more precise punches than him. What lessons did you learn from this extremely close f... Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:13:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_povetkin_says_rahman_not_to_be_underestimated_if_hes_in_shape/11776474 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/interview_povetkin_says_rahman_not_to_be_underestimated_if_hes_in_shape/11776474 Interview: Povetkin says Rahman not to be underestimated, if he’s in shape http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/interview_povetkin_says_rahman_not_to_be_underestimated_if_hes_in_shape/11776474 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/612d449c7c79c7fe592d2a1d73e7a941a2fa51c8/mini/Ricardo_Mayorga_v_f4bb.jpg Povetkin with new coach - Rahman not amused Two very different attitudes on display in Hamburg, Germany. While Alexander Povetkin, WBA Heavyweight-World-Champion, was happy to talk to the press and presented himself in a positive manner, his mandatory Hasim Rahman drew attention by being quite moody at their first press conference leading up to their fight on September 29 in Hamburg. Maybe the reason for the behavior of the former world champion was the long and exhausting journey from the States. According to himself, he was just upset about him not being illustrated on the promotional posters for the event. "Obviously, I am not being respected over here. For that, I will punish Povetkin inside the ring and take revenge. This is all I have got to say." Indeed, Rahman didn't give many interviews to the media afterwards. On the other side, Povetkin was extremely communicative during his appearance in the city of Hamburg. Perhaps his new coach Kostya Tszyu, who accompan... Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:41:06 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/povetkin_rahman_presser_quotes_photos_povetkin_training_with_kostya_tszyu/11477170 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/povetkin_rahman_presser_quotes_photos_povetkin_training_with_kostya_tszyu/11477170 Povetkin-Rahman presser quotes & photos: Povetkin training with Kostya Tszyu http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/povetkin_rahman_presser_quotes_photos_povetkin_training_with_kostya_tszyu/11477170 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/612d449c7c79c7fe592d2a1d73e7a941a2fa51c8/mini/Ricardo_Mayorga_v_f4bb.jpg Since a chance meeting with Dana White at the weigh-in of the Zab Judah-Kostya Tszyu boxing match in 2001, UFC site coordinator Burt Watson has missed just two UFC events in 12 years. "One was because of my daughter's wedding," said the 63-year-old Watson from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on a busy Tuesday morning. "The other was because of my son's wedding. Those are pretty much the only two things in this life that could keep me away, baby. My kids would have disowned me if I'd missed their weddings. And even on those two weekends, it was tough not being with the UFC, baby." Watson will be missing the third UFC event of his career this Friday night, and it has nothing to do with wedding bells or passed hors d'oeuvres. "I can't be two places at once," explains Watson. "We've got a great team up in Atlantic City coordinating UFC on FX 4. We're down here in Brazil doing UFC 147. We're all talking every day. It'll all be smooth, but yeah, it k Tue, 19 Jun 2012 19:13:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/watson_keeps_ufc_running_smoothly/11054030 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/watson_keeps_ufc_running_smoothly/11054030 Watson keeps UFC running smoothly http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/watson_keeps_ufc_running_smoothly/11054030 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/5/f5fd3fa9b40e82b7d898c03446e4d65b770df9a4/mini/ufc-couture-coleman-feb.jpg Including its Soviet athletes, Russia traditionally sends a strong boxing squad to the Summer Olympics. The Beijing Games were no exception, with the Russian team picking up two golds and a bronze in 2008. Although none of those past medal winners are going to London this summer, Russian amateur boxing has such a deep talent pool that their Olympic squad can sport plenty of new faces and remain a formidable challenge for any comers. If the strength of the Russian team is not enough of a reason to follow the Russians at the London Games, Russia's stature in the professional ranks ought to be. Ever since Kostya Tszyu emigrated to Australia in 1992, the Russian National Boxing Team has served as a springboard for many notable fighters. Beijing's team sent Rakhim Chakhkiyev and Matvey (Matt) Korobov on to prospering careers as professionals, and London 2012 could send many more. ---> Check out all of our London 2012 Olympic Boxing Coverage The Russian Boxing Squa... Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:09:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/london_2012_the_russian_olympic_boxing_team/10639180 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/london_2012_the_russian_olympic_boxing_team/10639180 London 2012: The Russian Olympic Boxing Team http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/london_2012_the_russian_olympic_boxing_team/10639180 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Australian based boxing trainer, Johnny Lewis, has worked the corner of many world champions including Kostya Tszyu and Jeff Fenech.   Right now he is currently guiding the corner of Vic Darchinyan for his upcoming fight against Shinsuke Yamanaka. Here is what he had to say about training one of boxing's best little fighters. Credit: The Corporate Fighter How has it been training Vic and how has the relationship blossomed between you two? Johnny Lewis: When I met with Darchinyan's manager Elias Nassar we talked about training Vic.  Once we got in the gym I knew after an hour and a half that it would be a honor to train a fighter like Vic Darchinyan who is one of my all time favorites. Do you feel your training techniques will bring out something different in him? JL: I'm not really looking to do anything different.  Just want to make sure his options are situated in the corner.  I want to see what punches are open, and the stigma of him having to w... Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:46:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/darchinyan_trainer_johnny_lewis_speaks_on_upcoming_titleshot_in_japan/10493845 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/darchinyan_trainer_johnny_lewis_speaks_on_upcoming_titleshot_in_japan/10493845 Darchinyan trainer Johnny Lewis speaks on upcoming titleshot in Japan http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/darchinyan_trainer_johnny_lewis_speaks_on_upcoming_titleshot_in_japan/10493845 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/6/e659964b02291d09075a39aba629bed43c45e669/mini/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f495543.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF19348AC5E006D648E3A7C34C97A604B7B4E.jpg Zab “Super” Judah (41-7, 28 KO’s,), former undisputed welterweight and junior welterweight champion of the world, will return to Brooklyn, New York, his home town, for maybe his last chance at another world title. On March 24, 2012, Judah will face the undefeated Vernon Paris (26-0, 15 KO’s) in the main event on NBC Sports “Fight Night 36.” If anyone has seen Judah fight before, they know that it is going to be an exciting fight, because the “Super” fast southpaw leaves it all in the ring.In his career, Judah captured the IBF Welterweight title by defeating Jan Piet Bergman (44-5, 33KO’s) by knockout in the fourth round. He defended his title five times before losing to Kostya Tszyu (31-2, 25KO’s) in his challenge to obtain the WBC and WBA belts. Two years later he captured the WBO Welterweight title and then lost by decision when he challenged Cory Spinks (39-6, 11KO’s) for the WBC, IBF, and WBO Welterweight titles.One year later, Judah returned the favor against Spinks and he fina... Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:43:49 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zab_super_judah_returns_to_new_york_against_the_undefeated_vernon_paris/10384960 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/zab_super_judah_returns_to_new_york_against_the_undefeated_vernon_paris/10384960 Zab “Super” Judah returns to New York against the undefeated Vernon Paris http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/zab_super_judah_returns_to_new_york_against_the_undefeated_vernon_paris/10384960 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Boxing Fantasy Fight: De La Hoya-Tszyu When it comes to fantasy fights, I've always found the most fascinating scenarios the fights that could have happened, but didn't, like Roberto Duran vs. Donald Curry. The Golden Boy vs. The Thunder from Down Under is a perfect example. The two men had a brief career intersection when they were both undefeated champions at 140 lbs, and de la Hoya's critics slammed him for years afterward for "ducking" Tszyu. Although that charge was lacking in substance, the fact remains that a De la Hoya vs. Tszyu fight would have been very exciting. The Backstory Credit: Icon SMI Kostya Tszyu is widely considered one of the greatest amateur boxers of all-time, and defected to Australia just prior to the fall of the Soviet Union. Turning pro, Tszyu captured the IBF Super Lightweight Title in 1995, and defended it five times before suffering a upset, knockout defeat at the hands of Vince Phillips in 1997. Oscar de la Hoya'... Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:54:45 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/oscar_de_la_hoya_vs_kostya_tszyu_fantasy_fight/10288291 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/oscar_de_la_hoya_vs_kostya_tszyu_fantasy_fight/10288291 Oscar De La Hoya vs. Kostya Tszyu fantasy fight http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/oscar_de_la_hoya_vs_kostya_tszyu_fantasy_fight/10288291 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/e/3ec87fff6d0c5eb07a8f8695ce952e111d3bf462/mini/Kostya_Tszyu_Press_1eda.jpg Ten Greatest Junior Welterweights in Boxing History While a “tweener” division, the 140-pound class is one of the older junior classes and one that has perhaps enjoyed more great fighters and fights than any other of the divisions not in the “original 8.” Nevertheless, it has been a division that has seen rocky times since its creation in the 1920’s. By the 1930’s. some of the best fighters in the world were staking their claim at 140. But by the 40’s, the division had fallen into disarray. In the 1960’s, the framework was being laid for what would eventually give way to one of the sport’s hottest divisions, and by the 1970’s, junior welterweight began to pick up more steam, with top fighters coming into the fray. In the 1980’s, super-fights were being contested at this weight, and the junior welterweights ceased being a mere stopover for growing lightweights, with many superstar fighters making 140 their home. That doesn’t make compiling a top ten an easy endeavor. You’ll notice th Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:34:27 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_junior_welterweights_of_all_time/10040002 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_junior_welterweights_of_all_time/10040002 Top 10 Best Junior Welterweights of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_junior_welterweights_of_all_time/10040002 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Dennis Lebedev didn't just out-point James Toney in Moscow yesterday; Lebedev whipped the 43 year old former middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight champion. Toney never gained any real traction in the bout, and from the 9th Round on he was in full retreat. I predicted Toney's age and poor physical condition would give Lebedev, a limited but powerful boxer who is trained by the great Kostya Tszyu, all the leverage he needed to pound his way to a decisive victory. To me, that analysis was based on the facts and sheer common sense. My opinion was only buttressed by the TV footage and photos coming out of Russia prior to the fight, showing Toney with a substantial belly that wasn't hidden by his baggy clothing. Lebedev's victory wasn't surprising, not even in the slightest, at least not to me. However, it must have come as a shock to Toney's fans, who seem to be in a fantasy world regarding their man. I saw glowing predictions of a Toney ... Sun, 06 Nov 2011 11:09:02 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/stick_a_fork_in_james_toney_hes_done/7903318 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/stick_a_fork_in_james_toney_hes_done/7903318 Stick a Fork in James Toney, He’s Done http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/stick_a_fork_in_james_toney_hes_done/7903318 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/0/006168d7703d62e540e725c9cdc72beae61db69f/mini/jamestoney.jpg