Every time we see Tim Tszyu, we do a double take.
He's a spitting image of his old man Kostya, a boxing champion many of us remember as a regular in the sports pages and on TV in the 1990s and early 2000s.
That Russian accent drew us in every time.
Tim is the one making headlines now - even hitting the front page of the Newcastle Herald on Thursday.
Tim's big fight with Michael Zerafa at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on July 7 was cancelled. Zerafa wasn't keen to travel from Melbourne, given the COVID situation. Rising star Steve Spark, though, will step into the ring in his place.
As for Tim, he's been spotted over the past week or so training at Steel City Boxing at Hamilton North.
Beau Morrison, a volunteer coach at the gym, said Tim was "such a humble, nice guy".
"He's just quiet. He's not cocky. It's just the way he carries himself," he said.
"He always thanks me because I keep the gym open a little bit late for him. He shakes my hand and says see ya. He doesn't smile much, but he always acknowledges me when he sees me."
Asked what stood out about Tim's methods, Beau said: "I don't see him stop for more than 30 seconds. He comes in and works."
COVID Questions
As we chatted to Beau, he questioned the NSW COVID rules for gyms.
He said boxing and other gym activities would help prevent COVID by helping people keep fit and healthy.
"I think it's crazy that they shut down gyms, but you can go and get fast food."
In the Greater Sydney area, which is under lockdown, gyms are closed.
In regional and rural areas, including the Hunter, a 20-person limit applies to classes or activities at a gym. People must wear a face mask at the gym.
Keeping Social
As well as the fitness benefits to gyms, Beau talked up the social side.
"There's a lot of camaraderie in our gym. I'm not a massive social dude. I don't go out for drinks with friends and stuff. I get my social kick or fix from the gym," he said.
"Sessions might only go for an hour, but you've got to allow two hours for social interaction."
From Russia with Love
Writing about Tim Tszyu had us wondering what happened to Kostya.
Well, he returned to Russia in 2012, leaving his then wife Natasha and their three kids [including Tim] in Australia.
He married a model, had two children with her and runs a restaurant in Moscow.
"I will always be proud of Tim. I love him," Kostya told 7Sport last year.
"I can't say we chat every single day, but we are father and son. We are on the phone and we communicate on WhatsApp."
