With two weeks until Tim Tszyu’s return from his first professional loss, he has been training with an outcome in mind.
Australia’s Tszyu, 29, is expected to slug it out with Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev, 31, for the latter’s IBF junior middleweight title on October 19 at Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida. Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) is looking to snatch a 154-pound belt from Murtazaliev (22-0, 17 KOs) after losing his WBO title to Sebastian Fundora seven months ago.
Tszyu said he has been faced with ups and downs since losing the unification bout to Fundora, in which Tszyu was cut early and clearly affected by the resulting blood flow throughout the remainder of the fight.
“It’s been a little bit of a roller coaster because I did not know when I’m gonna fight and who I’m gonna fight next,” Tszyu told BoxingScene. “But the last three months have been good since I’ve found out that I’ve got a task ahead of me and I’ve gotta fight. And I’ve just been all in on this.”
Tszyu, who has been training feverishly for Murtazaliev, was never interested in taking a step back or a tune-up fight before wading back into the elite competition at junior middleweight.
“This is what you fight for – the world titles – and this is why any kid in my position dreams of a belt,” Tszyu said. “Look, when you’re a Ferrari, you’re not gonna be racing against little Toyota Corollas. You’re gonna go for the next Ferrari. That’s how I see it.”
As for Murtazaliev, a hard-hitting 6-footer who has yet to be tested at the highest levels, Tszyu views him as a known threat – one that he hopes to overcome in convincing fashion.
“We were meant to fight at one stage, I remember, and then they came up with some sort of injury,” Tszyu said. “But I remember fighting and he was on the undercard. And he’s a tall boy, and I know him very well. I know he’s certainly a top star, so it’s gonna be an interesting fight.
“I watched a little bit. I understand what he’s about. I don’t really like to get too involved with watching stuff. I prefer doing. Hopefully, I find the right shots and then take him out. That’s what I’m going for.”
Murtazaliev will be making his maiden title defense against Tszyu, six months after winning a vacant title against Germany’s Jack Culcay at Stadthalle Falkensee just outside Berlin. Murtazaliev walked away with the title after stopping Culcay in the 11th round.
“He’s like a dog – these are always tough fights,” Tszyu said of Murtazaliev and the challenge ahead. “He has a never-die attitude and comes in with good momentum, good punches and, of course, he’s got a bit of power – a bit of crack in. So, yeah, that always presents as a tough one.”
Bernard Neequaye is a sports journalist with a specialty in boxing coverage. He wrote a boxing column titled “From The Ringside” in his native Ghana for years. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at @BernardNeequaye, LinkedIn at Bernard Neequaye and through email at [email protected].
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