Tszyu: "I do not need to prove anything to Sharmba Mitchell"

18.11 - In response to recent headlines that Sharmba Mitchell called Tszyu a "bum", Kostya Tszyu, Undisputed Super Lightweight World Champion, has said the following:

"I believe the reason why he [Mitchell] said this was to try to upset me and try to make me angry so that I will fight him. But I don't care what he is saying. I do not need to prove anything to him. I know how he fought against me and I don't want to repeat it again."

Mitchell, who lost his WBA Super Lightweight title to Tszyu in February 2001, made the comments after defeating Vince Phillips in an IBF santioned fight on November 10. Says Tszyu:

"He, not me, needs to prove himself again and I don't think he deserves a rematch. Yes he fought against Vince Phillips and Vince is the only one to ever beat me, but Vince is Vince. At this time in my mind, I only have one fight ahead with "Jesse" James Leija and I don't care what Sharmba Mitchell says. I am completely focussed on Jesse James because he is my next opponent and he can be very dangerous, I must only focus on him."

Tszyu is currently having two weeks of intensive training at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, preparing for his January 19 fight against IBF number 3 contender "Jesse" James Leija.

"The first three days here were very, very painful." Says Tszyu, who goes before each to the AIS before every fight so as to take his training to the next level. "There is nothing like it, training three times a day, every day with high intensity. Training, sleeping and eating is all there is. I have my car here, but there is no need for it. I am not going anywhere. This is ideal. There are no interruptions. I have my food here, my washing machine and my bed is here. I don't have to think about anything except training."

At Tszyu's January 19 fight against "Jesse" James Leija, to be held at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne, the undisputed champion will risk everything by putting all three world title belts on the line. "January 19 2003 will be the greatest day for Australian boxing," says Tszyu.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster 7 at www.ticketmaster7.com.