Best fights of Kostya Tszyu
Over 13 years as a professional, Kostya Tszyu has compiled a 31-2 (25) record, including 17 title fights. Here are his best fights.
1. Kostya Tszyu KOs Julio César Chávez
On July 29, 2000 Kostya Tszyu defended his WBC super lightweight title against Julio César Chávez. Tszyu was 30 years old with a record of 24-1, and Chávez was 38 with a record of 103-4-2. Tszyu was on a 6-fight winning streak and Chávez was coming off a win. Tszyu stopped Julio César Chávez via TKO in the 6th round. Defended the title.
2. Kostya Tszyu KOs Zab Judah
On November 3, 2001 Kostya Tszyu met Zab Judah in an undisputed super lightweight title unification fight. Tszyu was 32 years old with a record of 27-1, and Judah was 24 with a record of 27-0. Tszyu was on a 9-fight winning streak and Judah was on an undefeated 13-fight winning streak. Tszyu stopped Zab Judah via TKO in the 2nd round. Retained the undisputed title.
3. Kostya Tszyu KOs Sharmba Mitchell in their 2nd fight
On November 6, 2004 Kostya Tszyu defended his IBF and The Ring super lightweight titles against Sharmba Mitchell. It was their second meeting. Tszyu was 35 years old with a record of 30-1, and Mitchell was 34 with a record of 55-3. Tszyu was on a 12-fight winning streak and Mitchell was on a 8-fight winning streak. Tszyu stopped Sharmba Mitchell via TKO in the 3rd round. Defended the titles.
4. Kostya Tszyu stops Sharmba Mitchell
On February 3, 2001 Kostya Tszyu, the WBC super lightweight champion, met Sharmba Mitchell, the WBA super lightweight champion, in a title unification fight. Tszyu was 31 years old with a record of 25-1, and Mitchell was 30 with a record of 47-2. Tszyu was on a 7-fight winning streak and Mitchell was on a 16-fight winning streak. Tszyu stopped Sharmba Mitchell via retirement in the 7th round. Became the unified super lightweight champion.
5. Kostya Tszyu defeats Oktay Urkal
On June 23, 2001 Kostya Tszyu defended his WBA (Super) and WBC super lightweight titles against Oktay Urkal. Tszyu was 31 years old with a record of 26-1, and Urkal was 31 with a record of 28-0. Tszyu was on a 8-fight winning streak and Urkal was on an undefeated 28-fight winning streak. Tszyu won via unanimous decision. Defended the titles.
6. Kostya Tszyu stops Jesse James Leija
On January 19, 2003 Kostya Tszyu defended the undisputed super lightweight title against Jesse James Leija. Tszyu was 33 years old with a record of 29-1, and Leija was 36 with a record of 43-5-2. Tszyu was on a 11-fight winning streak and Leija was coming off a win. Tszyu stopped Jesse James Leija via retirement in the 6th round. Retained the undisputed title.
7. Kostya Tszyu KOs Miguel Ángel González
On August 21, 1999 Kostya Tszyu fought Miguel Ángel González for the vacant WBC super lightweight title. Tszyu was 29 years old with a record of 22-1, and González was 28 with a record of 43-1-1. Tszyu was on a 4-fight winning streak and González was coming off a win. Tszyu stopped Miguel Ángel González via TKO in the 10th round. Won the vacant title.
8. Kostya Tszyu KOs Rafael Ruelas
On August 15, 1998 Kostya Tszyu faced Rafael Ruelas in a lightweight bout. Tszyu was 28 years old with a record of 20-1, and Ruelas was 27 with a record of 52-3. Tszyu was on a 2-fight winning streak and Ruelas was on a 9-fight winning streak. Tszyu stopped Rafael Ruelas via TKO in the 9th round.