Thursday night, Los Angeles, and Tim Tszyu is not simply sitting sideline at a Rams game, but among all the trappings you’d expect of any VIP suite purpose-built to honour a 1960s burlesque dancer.
But more on Bootsy Bellows shortly.
Same deal the surrounding crowd of faces which includes, in no particular order, and apart from Australia’s breakout boxing star, an eclectic posse of rappers, models, WWE superstars, even a Belarusian entrepreneur worth $300 million.
But first, we want to talk about Tszyu’s back.
Or more specifically, how it’s being covered by a bright, blue Rams jersey.
One not only carrying his surname either, but gifted by arguably the greatest wide receiver anywhere in the NFL.
Or certainly Cooper Kupp was that in February.
Watch the biggest All-Australian female boxing fight of all time, O’Connell; v Bridges Live and Free Dec 11 8:30am AEDT Live & Free on Kayo Freebies. Join now and start streaming instantly
‘PROBABLY NEVER MATES’: Tszyu slams rival, avoids dad’s unsolved mystery
Back when this running, fending, earning megastar — a fella worth US$80 million for the next three years — went and won his city the Super Bowl, and himself an MVP trophy, with that effort all 99 yards and two touchdowns.
But tonight?
Well, currently sidelined with a troublesome ankle injury, Kupp has offered to play host to the most exciting name anywhere in Australian boxing.
A Sydneysider who come January 29, will himself be looking to ignite American sport when he faces super welterweight king Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas.
As part of his preparations, Tszyu has shelled out some $250,000 to allow not only all nine weeks of camp to be here in the US, or at a gym which locks down whenever he enters, but importantly, spar genuine American talent.
Which Tszyu will do again Friday afternoon.
Part of his ongoing build toward what will be something of a family reunion next January — when ‘The Soul Taker’ fights Charlo for all four straps inside that same Mandalay Bay casino where his old man also twice threw down.
First time in 2001, Kostya Tszyu made Sharba Mitchell quit on his stool after seven.
An effort that saw him both retain the WBC title and win the WBA variety.
Then a year later, he was back at the Bay.
This time retaining three straps in a decision win over Ben Tackie.
“So I know the venue well,” the younger Tszyu grinned Thursday night, speaking from the sidelines of SoFi Stadium as, behind him, Rams players went through their warm ups.
“Mandalay Bay is actually the only hotel in Las Vegas I stay at.
“Kind of like a second home.
“Dad fought there for a couple of world titles and won, and I’ll be doing the same.”
Preparations for which, as we said, continue again tomorrow.
But not tonight.
No, tonight, Tszyu is a special guest of the Rams.
With the undefeated Aussie not only walked out onto the field during warms ups, but seated for the game in a VIP bunker so close to the sidelines he could likely hear some players changing their minds.
Wonderfully, said room is the Bootsy Bellows suite.
A joint which is itself both named and designed after the swanky Hollywood nightclub actor David Arquette created in homage to his mother, a former burlesque dancer and pin-up model.
On this night, Belarusian entrepreneur Danny Vee is among attendees.
Same deal, WWE megastar The Miz.
Ice Cube too, is in the house – albeit as a guest of arch rivals the Las Vegas Raiders.
Tszyu, meanwhile, insists he is now a Rams fan.
Joining the likes of Magic Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kendrick Lamar, Denny Trejo, Terry Crews — who once played for the team — LeBron James and Australia’s own Rebel Wilson.
Asked about Kupp, Tszyu said: “Had a good energy about him.
“You don’t get to meet a lot of athletes these days, especially from here, so it’s good … he was really supportive.”
And as for the decision to go with No. 23 on the back of that first Rams jersey, gifted on this night they will storm home late for an incredible come-from-behind win?
“Michael Jordan inspired, of course,” the boxer grinned.
“And this stadium, unreal.
“Honestly (I walked in) and thought it was a drawing.”
So as for one day fighting in a joint like this one?
“Fingers crossed, one day I’ll fight here,” he said. “That’s the dream.
“But right now baby steps, one day at a time.”
At which point, a pair of Rams staffers approached, smiled, then escorted Tszyu off to that lounge named after a Californian pin-up model.
