Kostya Tszyu - arguably Australia's most famous Russian and one of our greatest ever boxers - says the World Cup is a chance for Russia to show another side of itself.
Carrying a set of worry beads and sporting his signature braid, Tszyu says he's still the same Kostya despite having moved to Moscow some seven years ago. But he says Russia, on the other hand, is changing.
"It’s so friendly, so clean, organised. I think it’s a great thing that Russia took the World Cup because attitudes towards Russians will change after the tournament," he tells SBS News, sitting in a private room at a Moscow restaurant he co-owns.
"You guys, the media, came along and so many other foreigners, they can see something they never expected," he adds.
"A different country than the one you represent to the world because you all thought it would be different. The majority of the people think there are still bears running around on the streets and people wearing funny hats and bad people. But through the World Cup, people will think, 'Jesus, this isn’t what I thought Russia was like'."
Russian- Australian boxing legend, Kostya Tszyu (right), speaks with SBS reporter Darren Mara in Russia. Source: SBS News
After a glittering career in the ring, the Soviet-born former world champion has recreated himself as a Moscow entrepreneur.
The restaurant is one of a host of ventures Tszyu rattles off as he goes through his portfolio. He recently launched a business that manufactures worry beads, like the ones he ceaselessly twirls between his fingers. He’s also involved in confectionary, having invested in a company that manufactures chocolate-coffee sweets.
Though as he shows us around his restaurant, he admits the businessman in him hasn’t been able to shake the prizefighter.
"I knew for a long time it’s part of my life and my family already adapt to this. They know that we can’t go anywhere, I can’t go public anywhere," he says.
"I’m extremely busy and I like it. I enjoy this. I have two young kids who help me stay even busier."
Tszyu migrated to Australia in 1992 and terrorised his opponents in the ring over a glittering career that saw him crowned world light welterweight champion twice.
Tim Tszyu is the son of former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Kostya Source: AAP
Once known as the thunder from down under, the 48-year-old says he returned to the land of his birth because it needs him.
"And I try to show people how to live my way. It means I have to not only say it, I have to do it. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, live a healthy life, train every day," he says.
"The country needs me. I can give big value to the country, my knowledge to sport, to business, what I learned in Australia."
The man considered one of the hardest punchers in the history of his division is now also training a new generation of Russian fighters.
Kostya Tszyu (right) with SBS reporter Darren Mara in Russia. Source: SBS News
And he says he’s also been keeping a close eye on his son Tim, who made his professional debut two years ago and fights from Australia.
Tszyu plans to bring his eldest child back to his ancestral homeland for a bout early next year.
“I want to bring him to the place where I originally come from. We’ll get a great event because he speaks Russian fluently. It’s sellable,” Tszyu says.
“And I really want him to overcome me. Try at least to be better than me. It’s very difficult but he’s got this goal.”
