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Kambosos and Tszyu's amazing back story

Darren WaltonAAP
George Kambosos can trace his boxing roots back to the same Sydney gym as Tim Tszyu.
Camera IconGeorge Kambosos can trace his boxing roots back to the same Sydney gym as Tim Tszyu. Credit: AAP

Giant-killing George Kambosos has offered to show Tim Tszyu the ropes as Australia's two boxing superstars bid to complete an extraordinary world-title double.

The little-known back story to Kambosos' spectacular rise to world lightweight champion is how the new IBF, WBA and WBO belt holder trained right alongside Tszyu in the very same suburban Sydney gym.

Separated by just a year in age, the sporting fates of Kambosos, 28, and Tszyu, 27, were all but secured from the moment the "tiny little kids" first laced on the gloves at the Kostya Tszyu Boxing Academy in Rockdale.

Tszyu's esteemed trainer, his uncle Igor Goloubev, not only mastered Kambosos in the art of the sweet science during those formative years but also chaperoned the teenager around the country while he chalked up 85 amateur wins before turning professional in 2011.

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Goloubev remained in the Kambosos corner until the Sydney slugger pursued his own path to world-title glory through America four years ago.

Kambosos still credits Goloubev for helping shape his history-making career as the first Australian boxer to capture three world-title belts in one fight.

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"Look, I'll never take away nothing from Igor. He was my trainer for many years and taught me a lot as well and you never disrespect that," Kambosos told AAP in the triumphant aftermath of his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez in New York on Sunday.

From those early rumbles in Rockdale, Kambosos and Tszyu now, incredibly, both boast perfect 20-0 records in the pro ranks.

While the big difference, obviously, is Kambosos is now a unified world champion, Tszyu will have his date with destiny some time next year as the mandatory top-ranked challenger to Brian Castano's WBO super-welterweight title.

Kambosos said he'd be happy to offer Tszyu any advice on how to conquer the boxing mecca that is the United States.

"For Tim, he's got to take the next step in his career. He's a long way off doing what I've just done," Kambosos said from the Big Apple.

"But, look, the kid is talented and hopefully he takes the next step and the right move to become a world champion.

"But he's got to come out here and if they (Team Tszyu) want, they can speak to me.

"I've been here, I know the way things are. See if they can reach out.

"If they're willing to reach out, I'll give them that bit of support."

Tsyzu's manager Glen Jennings said it would be a remarkable feat if his charge could follow in the footsteps of Kambosos and deliver the Rockdale PCYC a second world boxing title in the space of six months.

"We can celebrate that they both came up through the Tszyu Boxing Academy and Igor brought them both along from tiny little kids all the way through the amateurs and into the pro ranks," Jennings told AAP.

"It's a wonderful achievement what George has done and Timmy's heading down that road.

"We appreciate anybody that climbs through the ropes and for George to do what he has is amazing, and we congratulate him and his team and we look forward to our opportunities in 2022.

"It would be great to have two Aussies with all the belts - and very special if they came from the same gym as young kids."

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