Kostya Tszyu has warned world title rival Ricky Hatton to dismiss any notion that advancing years may have taken the edge off the skills which have turned him into one of the best boxers in the world.
The 35-year-old Australia-based Russian has held a version of the light-welterweight crown for over a decade and defends his IBF belt against Hatton in a mega-fight at Manchester's sold-out MEN Arena in the early hours of June 5.
Tszyu enhanced his claims to greatness in November when he returned from a 22-month injury-enforced absence with a scintillating third-round stoppage of his main rival Sharmba Mitchell.
And today in Manchester Tszyu insisted: "Kostya Tszyu at 35 would beat Kostya Tszyu at 25. I would destroy myself at 25 because I am fitter, stronger and better than I was 10 years ago. My head is like a very hard computer and it is easy for me to remember what to do. Sometimes I even amaze myself."
