http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/more- ... 6055993045
THERE'S no trademark pigtail, but the resemblance is there.
The killer stare, piercing eyes and steely focus to follow in his father's footsteps.
In a week when boxing sadly farewelled former world champion Lionel Rose, 13-year-old Nikita Tszyu - the youngest son of former world champion Kostya - is proof that the future of the fight game is in safe, albeit small, hands.
Despite being too young to fight in NSW, Nikita has gone one better than his equally promising older brother Timophey by claiming the Australian amateur title in Melbourne last weekend.
He won it after just three fights and the 9-1 scorecard showed his potential.
It's been suggested that Nikita could be better than 16-year-old Timophey, a golden gloves winner in the junior-welterweight division and state title-holder.
However, it would be wrong to believe Nikita has been pushed into the sport that elevated his Russian-born father into the Hall of Fame.
A kid with the ability to make a mark in soccer, Nikita has only recently been drawn to boxing.
And there is one major difference to Kostya. Nikita is a southpaw, the same style of boxer his father seemed to take special pleasure in demolishing during his title reign.
Mindful of the pressure and expectation that can accompany the Tszyu name in boxing, Kostya, once the undisputed junior welterweight champion, has rarely spruiked their burgeoning careers.
Still, he's sufficiently impressed with their potential to believe both boys will one day turn professional, and he's proud of their work ethic.
"They are very keen, they are very passionate to wake up at 5am," Kostya said last week.
"They do a training session, go to school, after school they go straight to the gym again. Then from the gym, dinner, homework and sleep -- and this is from Monday through to Saturday.
"They know what is required and what is needed to be done to reach this level to be better than their father.
"I hope they are going to reach this by themselves, by working hard, having good desire."
Timophey, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his dad, makes no secret of his desire to emulate the deeds of his father.
"I'm looking at being a professional and hopefully one day achieve something like my dad," he said.
While Kostya divides his time between his birth country Russia and his adopted home Australia, he has a profound influence on his Sydney-based boys' boxing development.
"Whenever my dad is here, he tries to make me like him, the same techniques," Timophey said.
"He tries to make me his style, but it still comes out my style."
Despite their Russian roots, it doesn't look like there will be any divided loyalties for the second generation of Tszyu boxers. "They are definitely Aussie boys," Kostya said.
Asked about any preference, Timophey said: "I'd rather represent Australia."
