My English was still virtually non-existent. I had an interpreter ringside, but he didn't have time to translate Johnny Lewis' final instructions as the bell rang for the start of the first round. I thought Johnny had told me to win the fight in the opening round. So I did. Poor Darrell Hiles didn't know what hit him. Bang, bang, bang! It was all over in less than a minute. The victory had certainly come my way much quicker than I had expected.
Back in the dressing room, I asked Johnny (through the interpreter): "Why was it so important that I win the fight in the first round?"
My trainer just shook his head in bewilderment: "I didn't say that. I told you to make sure you won the first round. You had another nine in which to win the fight!"
Kostya Tszyu talking about his first professional bout.
