In his first title defense, undefeated IBF world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev put the division on notice Saturday night when he stopped challenger, former WBO champion Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) in the third round.
Entering the October 19th bout, Bakhram Murtazaliev was a newly crowned champion who had spent the first 22 fights of his professional career operating under the radar. His opponent Tim Tszyu is a well-known boxer in the sport, and coming into the fight, Tszyu was a 4-1 betting favorite.
At the beginning of the first round, Murtazaliev was active with the jab. In the second half of the opening round, Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev traded hard shots. Tszyu had success landing a right hand while Murtazaliev was able to connect with a right hand and a left hook.
At the start of round 2, champion Bakhram Murtazaliev connected with a one-two combination, and quickly followed up with a big right hand. Opponent Tim Tszyu responded by pressing forward and firing a hard right hand.
Seconds later, Murtazaliev landed a left hook that sent Tszyu down to the canvas. Tszyu managed to get up, but went down a second time when Murtazaliev connected with another powerful left hand.
Standing on loose legs, Tim Tszyu stood in the pocket and traded blows with the defending IBF champion. While trading shots, Tszyu was hurt again when Murtazaliev landed a double left hook.
The incomparable Tim Tszyu tried to catch, but Murtazaliev avoided the clinch with hard rights and lefts. In the closing seconds of the second round, Murtazaliev landed a big right followed by a left hook. Murtazaliev would go on to hit a good third of the round when he landed a right.
The match Tim Tszyu was prepared to exit in the third round, but the doctor entered the ring to examine Tszyu. After examining Tszyu, the doctor allowed the fight to continue. Tszyu came out and tried to tighten his guard, but Murtazaliev shot around the guard.
Murtazaliev’s left hook was money all night, as he dropped Tszyu for the fourth time after connecting with a counter left hook. Once again Tszyu was able to get up and continue, but after being caught with consecutive right hand shots, Tszyu’s corner threw in the towel to officially stop the fight.
Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) accomplished his goal of making a statement at the expense of one of the most visible fighters in the weight class. Soon after posting the biggest win of his career, Murtazaliev seems ready to capitalize on his success.
Before his fight with Tim Tszyu, some people called Murtazaliev the weakest champion at 154. Bakhram Murtazaliev plans to test that idea as he has expressed his desire to unify these titles by facing WBA champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, or the WBO/WBC champion. Sebastian Fundora.
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