Loss of long-term cut man means younger brother Nikita joins Tim Tszyu’s corner

Tim Tszyu’s younger brother Nikita will work his corner for Saturday’s fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev following the withdrawal, at late notice, of his long-term cut man Mark Gambin.

Tszyu, 29, challenges Murtazaliev for the Russian’s IBF junior-middleweight title at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, in his first fight since his first defeat – when a significant cut contributed to him losing via split decision to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas in March.

In the aftermath of that fight Gambin was criticised for allowing him to carry on from the second round with the cut that was caused by Fundora’s elbow, given his status as the WBO champion could have been preserved.

Tszyu regardless remained loyal to Gambin, who will only be absent because he required emergency surgery on an inflamed appendix that had to be removed. BoxingScene also understands that Gambin will be back in place for Tszyu’s following fight.

In Gambin’s absence the 26-year-old Nikita Tszyu will join their uncle and trainer Igor Goloubevk in his brother’s corner, in a role that has been described as “bucket boy”. 

Kostya, their celebrated father, will also be ringside in Orlando, having been absent from any of Tim’s fights since his professional debut in December 2016. Nikita and Kostya will be reunited for the first time in 11 years.

A decision is still to be taken over who will perform the role of cut man against Murtazaliev, 31.