TSZYU ON THE WAGON

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:16

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/No-vod ... click=true

No vodka for Kostya as preparations get serious
April 13, 2005

Not content to merely train like a man possessed, Kostya Tszyu thought he might make things tougher on himself. Brad Walter reports.

For the first time in his 32-fight professional career, Kostya Tszyu will place a seven-week alcohol ban on himself ahead of his world title defence against Ricky Hatton in England.

While the 35-year-old IBF junior-welterweight champion usually avoids alcohol on the eve of big fights, Tszyu plans to have his last drink before the June 5 bout this weekend as he steps up his preparations for the 2am showdown before 18,000 Hatton fans at Manchester's MEN Arena.

"I virtually stopped before going to Canberra, anyway," Tszyu said last night in reference to his just-completed two-week training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport.

"I've still been having a drink on the weekends, but I'm thinking this weekend will be my last. It's something I've done before my last few fights, but usually about three weeks out - not two months."

Having confirmed his standing as the top boxer in his division - and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world - with his stunning third-round TKO over interim champion Sharmba Mitchell last November after a 22-month lay-off due to injury, Tszyu said he was planning to make few other changes to his normal routine.

"It's not a problem for me because 2am in England is 11am here, so when I go to Manchester I will train at 2am but it will be normal for me," he said. "There will probably be a lot of drunk people and some fights in the crowd but I will not see them."

Since returning from Canberra, Tszyu has been sparring at his Rockdale gymnasium with fellow Australian Sam Soliman and Americans Courtney Burton and Emanuel Augustus.

A specially-built boxing ring and gym have been constructed for Friday's open-air workout, which will be the second time Tszyu has sparred in Martin Place since moving to Sydney from Russia in 1992.

"I also did it that year," he said. "It was supposed to be Jeff Fenech but he pulled out at the last minute so [former manager and promoter] Bill Mordey got me in to an exhibition fight with Spike Cheney. That was a long time ago but I'm really looking forward to it."

With Anthony Mundine hogging the boxing headlines since last week announcing his impending return to rugby league after the May 11 bout with WBA super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler, the session will help shine the spotlight on Tszyu's fight.

Like everyone else, however, Tszyu has an opinion on Mundine's shock decision to fight and play rugby league.

"I can't really comment on how hard it would be, but to combine both will not be easy to do," Tszyu said. "Maybe he will change his mind, I don't know. I just hope he is focused for Kessler because it will be a very difficult fight."

Meanwhile, Fenech has placed Australasian heavyweight title hopeful Shane Cameron on stand-by to be Mike Tyson's sparring partner as soon as details of the former world champion's comeback are finalised.

Fenech, who has agreed to manage Tyson, flew to the US last week and tentative plans are believed to have been made for him to fight Australian Bob Mirovic in Washington on June 20.

Cameron is preparing to fight Australian champion Colin Wilson in Auckland on April 29 but has agreed to fly anywhere in the world after the bout to begin work with Tyson

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:32

"There will probably be a lot of drunk people and some fights in the crowd but I will not see them."

he must have been to Manchester before.....

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:36

When he checks into Manchester, SN should make sure Kostya has a nice hotel room with a well stocked, large bar in it.

Lots of bottles of fine vintage vodka on all the shelves too - no expense spared

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:39

Well he won't be getting pissed in MEN. Have you tasted the lager there? It's the weakest cats piss excuse for a pint i've ever tasted!

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:42

I dunno I managed to get slaughtered with Goz at the Tyson v Francis fight. Mind you could have been the hours in the pub beforehand...

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:44

You must have been pissed, even the taste of it knocks me sick. Or they might have special 'Pints' earmarked for us scousers!

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:50

Manc beer is fornicating horrible

even in London, it is better

Still, give me a pint of Wards in The White Lion on a matchday before going to see the mighty Millers lose back home in Rotherham and I would even ponder giving up the bright lights of The smoke

Anyway, I recently published a book on the origins of phrases and, you may (or probably wont) be interested to know that when the executed people at Tyburn ( now Marble Arch ) they brought them along what is now Oxford St on a cart and they stopped at a pub near what is now Tottenham court Rd for their last every drink. That was their " one for the road" and it was their last drink because after that they were " back on the wagon"

carry on abusing manc beer everyone

Slapsie

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 12 Apr 2005, 10:59

Slapsie Maxie wrote:That was their " one for the road" and it was their last drink because after that they were " back on the wagon"

Slapsie

Thanks for the info. I'll pass this of as my own down the boozer!

Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the Boddingtons factory across the road from the MEN? Even the Boddies in there tastes of arse.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Apr 2005, 11:24

The Beer at Wembley Arena tastes like cat's piss too.

It seems to be the rule of Thumb in this country, that all sporting arenas must serve piss-flat warm beer in floppy plastic cups, rancid burgers and pale flabby hotdogs. All of which must be ludicrously overpriced. In fact, the same is also true at every Railway station I've been to. They even charge more for BK and McDonald's than normal.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 12 Apr 2005, 11:33

Kevo wrote:
Slapsie Maxie wrote:That was their " one for the road" and it was their last drink because after that they were " back on the wagon"

Slapsie
Thanks for the info. I'll pass this of as my own down the boozer!

Correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't the Boddingtons factory across the road from the MEN? Even the Boddies in there tastes of arse.

The pub next door to the Strangeways brewery gets all the shit beer that the pubs wouldn't accept.

Hatton-Tszyu will be my first trip to the MEN. What's the score on the bars there? What time will they be open until? I can see a damned-if-they-do and damned-if-they-don't situation whereby if they refuse to serve 20,000 bevved-up fans they'll have a riot on their hands and if they do serve 20,000 bevved-up fans they'll have a riot on their hands.

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 12 Apr 2005, 11:36

we ended up drinking those god awful 'Vodka Kick' alcopops like a gang of birds

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 12 Apr 2005, 11:39

Yep its the same at any sporting arena. I remember once getting hammered at the old wembley drinking warm beer. I was absolutely fucked during the second half of the game I couldnt see a thing.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 12 Apr 2005, 11:43

jamesmcdonnell wrote:The Beer at Wembley Arena tastes like cat's piss too.

It seems to be the rule of Thumb in this country, that all sporting arenas must serve piss-flat warm beer in floppy plastic cups, rancid burgers and pale flabby hotdogs. All of which must be ludicrously overpriced. In fact, the same is also true at every Railway station I've been to. They even charge more for BK and McDonald's than normal.

It's just in line with this country being clueless about food.

I take it there's no tickets left for Hatton/Tzsyu? I really should've gone to this one.

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 12 Apr 2005, 11:55

jamesmcdonnell wrote:The Beer at Wembley Arena tastes like cat's piss too.

It seems to be the rule of Thumb in this country, that all sporting arenas must serve piss-flat warm beer in floppy plastic cups, rancid burgers and pale flabby hotdogs. All of which must be ludicrously overpriced. In fact, the same is also true at every Railway station I've been to. They even charge more for BK and McDonald's than normal.

I always eat the Hot-dogs at the MEN, think they're alright. But then again, I'd eat shit on a crust if I was hungry enough.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Apr 2005, 12:01

Riddick Blowe wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:The Beer at Wembley Arena tastes like cat's piss too.

It seems to be the rule of Thumb in this country, that all sporting arenas must serve piss-flat warm beer in floppy plastic cups, rancid burgers and pale flabby hotdogs. All of which must be ludicrously overpriced. In fact, the same is also true at every Railway station I've been to. They even charge more for BK and McDonald's than normal.
It's just in line with this country being clueless about food.

I take it there's no tickets left for Hatton/Tzsyu? I really should've gone to this one.

No, I don't think that's true, there are plenty of good reasonably priced places to eat, it's just that anywhere where they figure there is a captive audience, the people that run the arenas just think, "right, let's get the cheapest, shittiest, easiest to prepare food and drink, and charge the silly daft pudenda as much as we can get away with."

Pisses me off, because you don't really have any choice, it's either don't eat or drink anything, or pay through the nose for reconstituted chud on a bun.

J · Post by J » 12 Apr 2005, 12:07

you can get tickets but be prepared to pay at least double if not treble face value.

as for food, id say living in London we have one of the most eclectic gourmet resumes in Europe.

Anything from moroccoan, french, lebonese, malay, all sorts.

so dont concur on the food opinion, maybe its a northern thing i dunno i dont live up there.

kevo · Post by **kevo** » 12 Apr 2005, 12:27

All we get are Chinese, Indian and Kebab shops. Although there is a Jap resteraunt just opened in Liverpool. Thats about as exotic as it gets oop North.

Bard of Boxrec · Post by **Bard of Boxrec** » 12 Apr 2005, 13:32

My mates call me a food snob, just because I feel that food here in general is vastly inferior to most places on the continent and therefore MOSTLY not worth going out to eat.

Of course there are exceptions, but most of the time they're bloody expensive ones whereas you could get the same quality meal in france for half the price.

Their response: 'Go live in France then'

Take a homemade sandwich to the fight!

I did that last time I went to Old Trafford, some raised eyebrows at me. At least I didn't have to endure that British abhorration, the fatty, shitty, football ground pie

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 12 Apr 2005, 13:37

Kevo wrote:All we get are Chinese, Indian and Kebab shops. Although there is a Jap resteraunt just opened in Liverpool. Thats about as exotic as it gets oop North.

Stop perpetuating stereotypes, fella! It might be like that in Liverpool but in Sheffield the variety of grub on offer is excellent. Went past a Kurdistani restaurant the other day. Then again, in that particular area of Sheffield there are 64 languages spoken. And yes, that includes English, before you start!

However, some northern attitudes to foreign cuisine are hilarious. Some misguided fornicator has recently opened a Mozambiquan (?) restaurant in Darlington. My mate's mam drove past and said "What the fornicate will they serve there then? Zebra and chips?"

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Apr 2005, 13:44

Riddick Blowe wrote:My mates call me a food snob, just because I feel that food here in general is vastly inferior to most places on the continent and therefore MOSTLY not worth going out to eat.

Of course there are exceptions, but most of the time they're bloody expensive ones whereas you could get the same quality meal in france for half the price.

Their response: 'Go live in France then'

Take a homemade sandwich to the fight! I did that last time I went to Old Trafford, some raised eyebrows at me. At least I didn't have to endure that British abhorration, the fatty, shitty, football ground pie

The pie was made of ground football! No wonder they taste bad. Ground beef is iffy enough.

Ian, your Zebra and chips comment made me chuckle. Funnily enough though, there is a restaurant in brixton that serves zebra steaks with chips, as well as crododile, kangaroo, ocelot, elephant and tiger penis soup.

Ok, I made the last three up, but who the fornicate wants to eat Zebra, it's just horsemeat with stripes.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 12 Apr 2005, 13:51

Riddick Blowe wrote:My mates call me a food snob, just because I feel that food here in general is vastly inferior to most places on the continent and therefore MOSTLY not worth going out to eat.

Of course there are exceptions, but most of the time they're bloody expensive ones whereas you could get the same quality meal in france for half the price.

Their response: 'Go live in France then'

Take a homemade sandwich to the fight! I did that last time I went to Old Trafford, some raised eyebrows at me. At least I didn't have to endure that British abhorration, the fatty, shitty, football ground pie

I to am a bit of a 'snob' when it comes to food, but I have to admit there are some greatIndian restuarants here in Leicester.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 12 Apr 2005, 14:04

nickd wrote:I dunno I managed to get slaughtered with Goz at the Tyson v Francis fight. Mind you could have been the hours in the pub beforehand...

Remember that Nick. I recall standing at the bar giving the Liverpool squad stick for... well I don't remember that bit but they were laughing at me anyway...

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 12 Apr 2005, 14:05

Where i live in south london, there are plenty of good afghan, indian, bangladeshi, kurdish etc restaurants, including some that have won national awards, and they are mostly very cheap too. Tooting is basically like a little bit of the indian subcontinent..

The food which tends to be more expensive in this country is continental food, like french, spanish and italian. However you can still find it pretty cheap if you know where to look. French style food is very much overrated anyway, I'd much rather have a good thai or indian any day.

Goz · Post by **Goz** » 12 Apr 2005, 14:15

French food is great, just when it's made with shite ingredients over here it's not. If you had eaten in some of the restaurants I have in the South of France (or even peoples homes) it would bring a tear to your eye to think about it now.

But yes siree I love my Thai and Indian too.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 12 Apr 2005, 14:27

Goz wrote:
nickd wrote:I dunno I managed to get slaughtered with Goz at the Tyson v Francis fight. Mind you could have been the hours in the pub beforehand...
Remember that Nick. I recall standing at the bar giving the Liverpool squad stick for... well I don't remember that bit but they were laughing at me anyway...

Phil Babb wasnt it? I also remember standing on the folding chair and falling over backwards dragging that bird down with me and those blokes with her were not happy. lovely. :)