Career profile: Kostya Tszyu

TSZYU FACT FILE Born: 19/09/1969 Turned pro: 1992 Division: Light welterweight Record: 31(25)-2 Alias: Thunder From Down Under Height: 5ft 7in Reach: 67in Trainer: Johnny Lewis Promoter: Matthew Watt In-depth photos: Britain's big boxing weekend

Make no mistake, Kostya Tszyu's shock loss to Ricky Hatton does not crush his legacy.

As the old cliche goes, the 35-year-old Russian-born Australian "grew old in the ring" on Sunday, quitting on his stool after round 11.

But even if he never boxes again, Tszyu has had a distinguished career.

His destruction of Sharmba Mitchell like some bothersome fly was the most shocking sight in boxing last year.

Mitchell, a former world champion, was still considered a major player in the light welterweight ranks.

And Tszyu, coming off a 22-month lay-off, floored Mitchell four times before the fight was stopped in the third round.

The "Thunder from Down Under" had proved he was still rumbling loud and still one of the finest pound-for-pound boxers in the game.

That is, until Hatton had his say.

Tszyu was born in the Russian industrial city of Serov but moved to Australia at the age of 20.

He turned professional in 1992 and claimed the IBF light welterweight belt in only his 14th fight courtesy of a sixth-round stoppage of tough Puerto Rican Jake Rodriguez.

Tszyu made his first defence against another former world champion, the gnarled Roger Mayweather, and made four more defences before being upset by Vince Phillips in Atlantic City in 1997.

KEY FIGHTS 28/01/95: v Jake Rodriguez TKO6, wins IBF title 31/05/97: v Vince Phillips TKO7, loses IBF title 21/08/99: v M.A Gonzalez TKO10, wins WBC title 29/07/00: v J C Chavez TKO6, retains WBC title 03/11/01: v Zab Judah TKO2, retains undisputed title 06/11/04: v Sharmba Mitchell TKO3, retains IBF title 05/06/05 v Hatton L TKO11, loses IBF title at Manchester's MEN Arena

Tszyu dusted himself down, clawed his way back into contention and in August 1999 battered Mexican great Miguel Angel Gonzalez into submission inside 10 rounds to claim the WBC crown.

A year later, he stopped the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez in six rounds and had to escape from the ring and the attentions of 15,000 Mexican fans before the decision could be announced.

In 2001, Tszyu became undisputed light welterweight champion with a breathtaking two-round destruction of undefeated IBF champion Zab Judah.

He defended against tough Ghanaian Ben Tackie and Jesse James Leija before a shoulder injury put him out of commission for almost two years.

And last November came his glorious return against Mitchell - and proof that the sickening right hand, not to mention all the other tools, was still in the box.

Tszyu was lured to Hatton's backyard by a £3m fee.

The cost of the subsequent loss to his career may be great, but his skills will long be remembered by boxing's cognoscenti.