Dear Tszyu Crew,

Today I write to you from my temporary home in Moscow where I have spent the last five months.

I attended the Olympic Games in Beijing in August and really enjoyed myself watching the brilliant performances from athletes around the world in so many different sports.

After accepting an offer to appear on the Dancing on Ice television show on Russian television that would run for fifteen weeks, I decided to relocate my whole family from Australia for six months.

One of my goals for 2008 was to spend more time with my family and I am pleased to say that I achieved this, although it was a new environment for myself, my wife Natasha and our three children.

My two sons Timophey and Nikita enrolled in a Moscow school and joined one of the big soccer football clubs. Both boys have been playing well here and it has been a great experience with so many new opportunities for them.

While I ice skated as a child, I have learnt so much more over the last six months, particularly how hard on your body it can be to fall down!

I have two more Dancing on Ice shows to go. I have not been happy with my performances 100% every show, but at the same time I am not an ice skater so I can’t really be too critical of myself. Overall, I am very pleased with all of the performances I have done.

I have been watching boxing locally in Russia and on television from around the world and have been enjoying the many interesting super fights that seem to be occurring more regularly.

I enjoyed watching Manny Pacquiao and his great performance against Oscar De La Hoya in Las Vegas. Manny fought so well, his performance was perfect. Oscar has been a great boxing champion for many years and he really wanted to win that match.

It seems that Manny Pacquiao will now challenge my friend Ricky Hatton. This is going to be a big fight!

It will not be easy for either man to win. I know very well first hand what Ricky is capable of at super lightweight and this is a fight he can win with his pressure. However, you can only say that Manny Pacquiao has had a brilliant year and is clearly the best boxer in the world today pound for pound. It will be a battle not to be missed.

As much as I have enjoyed being in Russia for such an extended period of time, the longest consecutive time since I first moved to Australia in 1992, I am missing Australia and my home very much. I am used to being in hot weather and being at the beach at Christmas time, so I am looking forward to going back to Sydney very soon.

I am hoping to be back home on New Years Eve, but it may be another day or so later. You never know with me. My plans change from day to day.

While my ice skating training and general boxing fitness training have kept me busy, I have been checking in on the Tszyu Crew in the Forum at my website www.KostyaTszyu.com . It is so easy for me to see what you are all up to and I look forward to spending more time with you upon my return home. The Tszyu Crew are holding a Live Christmas web chat on Tuesday night December 23 Sydney time.

Thank you to all who have sent emails, letters and Forum messages. It is so pleasing to know that I have so many special friends in many different cultures and countries.

Christmas is a time to be with your family and friends and I urge all of you to do what makes you happy and give to the people around you. Make life better for others when you can and give without expecting anything in return. It is the best feeling you can get and not just at Christmas time, make it happen all year round.

To all my family, friends and the Tszyu Crew in different countries around the world, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2009!

Remember the Tszyu Crew rules forever!



Your champion,