--Kostya Tszyu vs. Jesse James Leija --
By John Gregg
Los Angeles, California--
Australia's world champion Kostya Tszyu is set to defend his titles in his adopted homeland when he takes on San Antonio's Jesse James Leija, January 18, from Melbourne's Telstra Dome. The fight will be broadcast in the U.S. on Showtime, and also features former Olympic gold medallist Mohamed Abdullaev squaring off against ex-IBF lightweight champion Phillips Holiday, on the undercard.
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Champion: IBF, WBC, WBA junior welterweight world champion Kostya Tszyu (29-1-1, 23 KO's), trained by Johnny Lewis and managed by Vlad Wharton.
Style: Tszyu, 33, is a throwback to the 1930's when fighters held their hands low but as soon as their opponent starting throwing leather they answered in volleys. Tszyu has heavy hands to go along with superior conditioning and ring smarts. This guy is a master craftsman who can jolt you with a whistling right hand and then finish you off with a flurry of nasty shots. He is coming off two outstanding performances; a second round destruction over heavily favored Zab Judah late in 2001, and a commanding 12-round decision over number one-rated Ben Tackie last May. With one-second remaining the 2nd, Tszyu drilled Judah with a clean right hand to the chin. The IBF champ Judah hit the deck flat on his back but popped back on his feet only to stagger sideways and then collapse to the canvas for the second time. Veteran referee Jay Nady waved off the world title bout at count of four despite Judah's theatrical protest. Tszyu continued his domination in the 140-pound division by manhandling the durable Tackie. Tszyu controlled the action from the outset and nailed the challenger repeatedly with a variety of searing left hands and whistling right crosses that kept Tackie off balance for almost the entire title fight. There were no knockdowns but Tszyu jolted Tackie numerous times and left little doubt who was the best 140-pounder in the world.
Strength: Tszyu has a strong right hand and he can turn out the lights. His second round knockout of Judah elevated him to among the elite of the boxing world. Despite being a heavy underdog, Tszyu never bought into Judah's rhetoric and after giving away the first round he went to work. He's a tough customer who knows how to box and also bang. Tszyu defended his three titles in 2001; scoring a 12-round win over Germany's Oktay Urkal, a seventh-round TKO over Sharmba Mitchell, and 2nd round stoppage of the long-winded Mr. Judah. Tszyu only fought once last year but he easily controlled the top-rated Tackie and once again demonstrated his talents. He has a wealth of experience and the man he defeated for his world amateur title before turning pro was no less than Vernon Forrest.
Weakness: Tszyu's chin will always be questionable. In May 1997, he was hammered out and suffered his only loss to Vince "Cool" Phillips via a 10th round TKO. Tszyu miscalculated Phillips' power and repeatedly was drilled by accurate right hands. He took a beating but on the upside he renewed his commitment to the sport and has always been a demon in training camp since that lone defeat. He is one of those rare boxers who became a better fighter after a loss.
Question Marks: Just how long will Tszyu carry Leija before he decides to unload on the veteran and former world champion?
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Challenger: Jesse James Leija (43-5-2, 1 NC, 17 KO's), managed by Lester Bedford and trained by his father, James Leija, Sr.
Style: The 36-year-old Leija is a solid fighter and a veteran campaigner. Leija can still box and he can still slug, however, he lacks the pop to put the hurt on Tszyu. He moves in and out and looks to counter off of your mistakes. He will whack you with the left hook, dip inside, go to the body, and occasionally nail you with a sharp right hand up top. Unfortunately, what he has learned along the way he has also lost in reflexes. Many insiders consider this fight nothing more than a very nice payday and that's he's lucky to still able to earn big money at this point of his career. A former WBO super featherweight titleholder, Leija fought a classic four-fight series with the legendary Azumah Nelson, winning twice, losing once, and also fighting to a draw. Last January, Leija scored a five-round technical split decision over Mickey Ward in front of his hometown fans, in an abbreviated super lightweight bout. Following what referee Laurence Cole believed to an accidental clash of heads in the first round, the former two-time world champion Leija suffered a sever cut in his right eyebrow. As the contest wore on so did the three-inch gash that Leija attempted to fight with for the remainder of the evening. With blood pouring from the wound that traversed through Leija's right eyebrow, ringside Dr. Ruben Cordonado told Cole to stop the contest. Because Cole believed the cut was the result of a clash of heads in the first, the judges were compelled to go to the their scorecards. Judge Duane Ford had Ward winning, 48-47. However Gale Van Hoy had it 49-46, while Ray Hawkins scored it, 48-47, in favor of Leija.
Strength: Leija is a tough and determined fighter who is always in excellent condition. His best punch is the left hook and he can tag you with it moving inside or while retreating. Leija was never considered a knockout puncher but he does understand the nuisances of the sport and he can surprise you by timing your shots and landing counters. Early in his career he threw solid combinations and periodically would sneak in the right hand behind the hook.
Weakness: At this point in his career, Leija is subject to cuts and is a bleeder. He lacks the power to keep people off of him and no longer posses the lateral movement and hand speed needed at the world championship level. Despite a number of his victories in the later stages of his impressive career, Leija has never been the same fighter after he was chewed up and TKO'd in two rounds by Oscar De La Hoya, in December 1995. He was TKO'd in nine by Shane Mosley, back in November 1998.
Question Marks: How long will his skin hold up under Tszyu's thudding blows? At 36, just how much tread is left on the tires? If he boxes, and moves with the champion, can he go the distance?
Prediction-- This one isn't going to be pretty and I look for Tszyu to eventually overpower Leija with brutal shots to the head and body. If Leija is lucky he gets cut early and doesn't absorb too much punishment. However, Leija is a warrior and he should stick around for a while. I look for Leija to go out on his shield with Tszyu the victor via a bloody seventh round TKO..
