Tim Tszyu’s sacked manager Glen Jennings has opened up on the former world champion’s decision to overhaul his team, labelling it “the end of an era.”
The 30-year-old Sydneysider announced this week that he would be “restructuring” his support team, with Jennings confirming that he and Tszyu’s long-time trainer and uncle Igor Goloubev were among those to be dropped.
It’s since been revealed that Tszyu will be moving to America in an effort to kickstart his career, which has seen him lose three of his past four bouts, including two by knockout.
MORE: 'Find myself': Tim Tszyu opens up on future plans amid split from long-time trainer and manager
“It’s part of life. Decisions have been made to make some restructuring changes and a consequence of that is that our former team that was with Tim, has been removed, five of us in total,” Jennings said.
“That’s the end of an era. If this is what Tim needs to do to get back in the winners’ circle, then he should go and do it.
“It’s 2025, it feels like it’s a disposable society. We see this every day in the NRL. It’s sad that it’s a chapter closing but sometimes it’s inevitable that it happens and that’s that.”
Speaking on the Unscripted podcast with former NRL player Josh Mansour, Tszyu said he was heading to the U.S. with no plan.
“My plan now is I’m gonna move to the States,” Tszyu said.
“Just by myself. It’s a big move. I’m going solo and I’m just gonna see what opportunities there are out there and make the most of it.
“It’s hard to bring everyone along with you. It’s just one of those personal decisions that I made to be able to go live a dream, have a crack at it.”
The decision to revamp his entourage ends an eight-year partnership, which saw Tszyu ascend to the WBO super welterweight world title.
“He was appreciative of everything that we’ve done, but in his mind, it’s something that he needs to do,” Jennings added.
“There was no discussion about any specific reason, it was more complimentary about what we’d achieved, but for him to move on, this is what he wants to do.”
Jennings said Goloubev, who has coached Tszyu his whole career, was also caught off-guard.
“Like everyone, Igor’s a little bit sort of, ‘Wow’,” Jennings said.
“Life will go on and Tim will go on and so will I and the other members of the team.
“I have no clue in terms of what he’s doing and in terms of going to one of his fights, I haven’t even thought about it. I’ve got too many other fighters to focus on.”
Tszyu is still contracted to promoters No Limit Boxing.
Jennings, Goloubev and the remainder of the team will remain a part of Nikita Tszyu's team, with the all-action southpaw expected to face Michael Zerafa before the end of the year.
No Limit Boxing
The younger Tszyu said he couldn't understand his brother's decision.
"Win, lose or draw, they're the people that I want to be in the changerooms after the fight, no matter what," Nikita Tszyu told reporters on Thursday.
"They're always going to be there for me.
"No, I don't full understand it.
"I just don't understand it, that's okay though."