...Tszyu defends 140-pound title against Tackie
LAS VEGAS -- Kostya Tszyu is an undisputed world champion at 140 pounds and a hero in his adopted home of Australia.

When he defends his titles Saturday night against Ghana's Ben Tackie, though, he'll still be an enigma to most American boxing fans.

Such is the way for Tszyu, who prefers to spend his leisure and training time in Australia, venturing across the ocean only to further his career.

He advanced it in a big way Nov. 3 when he knocked out Zab Judah in the second round at the MGM Grand hotel-casino to consolidate the three major titles and make him one of only three undisputed champions in boxing.

But Tszyu went right back home afterward, failing to capitalize on his big win with an American media he doesn't trust. Still, he believes he will begin getting the attention that so far has been lacking.

"I think finally there's a bit more than it used to be," Tszyu said. "We'll see after this fight how they handle me."

Tszyu was particularly upset before the Judah fight with stories that gave him little chance against the unbeaten Judah. He was surly with reporters, sure they were against him because he wasn't an American.

He was a 3-1 underdog when he shocked Judah with a huge right hand that sent his fellow champion wobbling across the ring, prompting the referee to stop the fight and sparking an outraged protest from Judah that eventually got him suspended and fined.

Tszyu is back to fight Tackie in a bout where he is a heavy favorite, and eager to show his skills in the ring again. The fight will be televised by Showtime from the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino.

"This is the capital of the world of boxing," Tszyu said. "That's why I'm fighting here."

Tszyu (28-1-1, 23 knockouts) is a heavy favorite over Tackie, who is the IBF No. 1 contender and is considered a tough, durable fighter who gives it his all.

"He's a very basic fighter. He's very determined and a big pressure fighter," Tszyu said. "I'm not expecting an easy fight."

Tackie (24-2, 15 knockouts) would appear to be overmatched in this fight, though, against one of the big punchers of the division who appears to have regained the confidence he appeared to lose in May 1997 when he was stopped by Vince Phillips.

"I'm a warrior and prepared to come to war," Tszyu said. "People love it and that's why they come to my fights and watch on pay-per-view."

Tackie has won his last three fights but at 28 will be fighting for a world title for the first time. Tszyu has won and lost titles and will be in his 14th world championship fight.

"He is a great fighter, very strong," Tackie said. "This is going to be a war."

Assuming Tszyu wins, he won't lack for contenders. Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti fight Saturday night in a Connecticut casino with each hoping to win and advance to a fight against the former Russian amateur world champion.

There's also the possibility of a rematch with Judah or a fight with Diobelys Hurtado, who knocked down Tszyu twice before being stopped in the fifth round in 1998.

Tszyu is also looking at opportunities at 147 pounds, where the likes of Shane Mosley and Vernon Forrest await, although he seems cautious about moving up in weight.

"I don't try to think beyond this," he said. "But this is boxing and it's funny. Anything can happen."

PIC: WBC/WBA/IBF 140-lb. champion Kostya Tszyu (L) of Sydney, Australia shakes with Ben Tackie of Accra, Ghana as boxing promoter Vlad Warton (C) looks on during a weigh-in at the Mandalay Bay Events Center May 17, 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tszyu will defend his titles against Tackie, the IBF number one contender, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on May 18, 2002. Tszyu weighed in at the 140 lb. limit. Tackie was 139.5 lbs.