'I knew straight away it was him': Kostya Tszyu surprises Tim ahead of IBF world title fight

Kostya Tszyu surprised son and world title challenger Tim before the official press gathering for his IBF world title fight against Russian champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.

In what was at times a heated and awkward press conference, with Tszyu calling his opponent "unprofessional" and "stupid", Kostya's entrance before the media conference began attracted plenty of attention with cameras capturing the moment the Hall-of-Famer embraced his son from behind.

It caught the Aussie fighter off-guard with Kostya not expected to arrive in Orlando until hours later as the boxing legend embraced both sons, with Nikita also in attendance.

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Speaking to media, Kostya downplayed talk of the sons being estranged from him.

"They are in my heart every second. They are in my thoughts every second," said Tszyu, who left Australia some 15 years ago and returned to his native Russia, starting a new life and new family.

"I've seen them regularly, nearly on the phone every day. But of course, it's not the same.

"I'm sure we'll have a great, great time here together."

Tszyu hasn't been ringside for any of his sons' professional bouts, since Tim's debut in 2016.

Kostya's attendance that night led to Tim calling it a "circus" referencing his father's constant yelling of instructions as a distraction.

But as time has passed and Tim has gained experience, Kostya's presence will be a bonus, the former WBO champ said.

Kostya will have a front-row seat at the Caribe Royale Orlando resort and said he may not be able to contain himself come fight night.

"I don't know how I will be," Kostya said.

"I'm alright now. I'm not nervous now but I'm not sure what's going to happen tomorrow.

"I will try — maybe it's not right to do, maybe — but I'll put extra pressure on that guy [Murtazaliev].

"I'm sorry, my friend, but I'll do it."

Speaking at the press conference, Tim said his father told him two hours earlier that he would not be able to make the media gathering.

"It was typical, man. I'm sort of used to it now," the 29-year-old said of Tszyu's unexpected appearance.

"I'm sitting down on my couch and he just grabbed me from my back and got my traps pretty good.

"I knew straight away it was him.

"But yeah, it was good to see him. Still good to see him. He's buzzing now."

When asked about his opponent, Tszyu said he had seen Murtazaliev running in a hoodie during fight week, and labelled him "old school" and "unprofessional".

"I was actually hunting him down for some time. I remember calling the boys as soon as the me and (Jermell) Charlo fight got not made and saying 'let's go for Bakhram'. Apparently they didn't want it. I've been chasing the big fights, the big names, the toughest, scariest monsters out there. Fortunately, they don't frighten me."

The IBF champion said he had never heard of an offer from Tszyu's people but Tszyu responded.

"Step aside money and easier opponents to keep that mandatory spot is much easier than facing the big, bad monster," he said.

"For me this is not just an ordinary fight, this is a vengeance fight. It's not just a world title, it's the comeback.

"I believe I am the man at 154 (pounds). I just need the time to prove it. I keep taking these one-on-one fights and one-by-one I'm looking to get rid of each and every one of them."