He holds both Russian and Australian citizenship. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, in 1992, Tszyu emigrated to Australia with his girlfriend, where they married in 1993 and became Australian citizens, settling in Rockdale by a knockout.
Tszyu was a member of the Soviet military too, but since he was selected as an elite athlete, he was not required to participate in combat. He fought at the world championships once again, in Moscow in 1989, where he came in third
place.
In 1991, he went again to the amateur world championships, this time held in Sydney. This was a trip that would change his life forever. Not only was the third time his charm, but he felt enchanted with the sights of Sydney and its people, and decided he wanted to live in Australia.
In 1995, he received his first world title shot when he fought IBF at Las Vegas, Nevada and Light Welterweight World Champion Roger Mayweather by a knockout in 11, Cory Johnson
by a knockout in six. After this string of defences, Tszyu became a
highly touted world Champion by many boxing magazines, and many articles
about him appeared on The Ring, KO Magazine and other American
