Former WBO junior-middleweight champion Tim Tszyu is scheduled to make his return to the ring as he’s set to challenge the reigning IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) on Saturday night, October 19th, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida, airing live on Amazon Prime Video.
(Credit: Joseph Correa/Premier Boxing Champions)
PBC’s Tszyu vs Murtazaliev bout is expected to be an action-packed battle between two hard-hitting fighters. The 29-year-old Tszyu will attempt to become a two-time world champion, while the 31-year-old Bakhram Murtazaliev plans on being successful in his first title defense.
Tim Tszyu is the son of the former unified 140-pound world champion Kostya Tszyu. A native of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Tim Tszyu is a polarizing figure in his home region, but he placed boxing fans in the United States and around the world on alert when he fought a Detroit, Michigan native who is a former world champion.
Back in March 2023, former WBC junior-middleweight world champion Tony Harrison traveled to Sydney, Australia, to battle Tim Tszyu. In the opening round of the bout, Harrison controlled the majority of the round by staying on the outside and consistently landing a sharp jab.
For the next seven rounds, Tszyu routinely pressed forward and landed well-placed power punches. In the final minute of round 9, Tszyu stopped Harrison when he landed a flurry of power shots. With the victory, Tim Tszyu won the vacant WBO Interim junior-middleweight title.
After Jermell Charlo moved up two weight classes to challenge Canelo Alvarez, Tim Tszyu was elevated from interim champion to WBO 154-pound world champion on October 15, 2023. Five months later, Tszyu traveled to Las Vegas to defend his title against Sebastian Fundora.
Throughout the opening round, Tszyu consistently landed clean right-hand shots.
Tszyu continued to land the right hand in the second round, but as the round was coming to a close, Tszyu was hit by an accidental elbow that opened up a gruesome cut on the top of his head.
With blood constantly flowing in his eyes and all around his face, Tim Tszyu continued to participate in a fight that transitioned to a back-and-forth battle. At the conclusion of the 12-round contest, Sebastian Fundora earned the split-decision victory.
Now, the former WBO junior-middleweight world champion Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) is ready to step back in the ring and attempt to become a two-time world champion at 154. Standing in Tszyu’s way is an undefeated champion who wants some respect to be placed on his name.
A native of Grozny, Russia, Bakhram Murtazaliev is a talented fighter who has been making moves under the radar. Back in April 2024, Murtazaliev traveled to Germany and stopped Jack Culcay in the 11th round. With the victory, Murtazaliev won the vacant IBF world title.
Bakhram Murtazaliev is a strong fighter who is a good counterpuncher and he has a powerful right hand. Tim Tszyu is a boxer who thrives on applying mental pressure. He has exceptional timing and accuracy. Tszyu is also a good counterpuncher whose money shots are the right hand and the uppercut.
The IBF junior-middleweight championship bout is guaranteed to be an action packed fan friendly event. The only question is, will it end by stoppage, or will we see an entertaining 12-round battle?
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