Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) hopes to reclaim his world title when he challenges IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) this Saturday, October 19, in the main event at PBC on Prime Video. at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
(Credit: Alex Sanchez/Premier Boxing Champions)
Tszyu, 29, says he considers Bakhram “a fighter” and points out that other fighters “can’t be motivated.” Grozny, Russia native Bakhram is not well-known in the US, but if he defeats former WBO 154-lb champion Tszyu in impressive fashion, he will get a lot of attention from American and Australian fans.
Bakhram has excellent power, and combines his punches well with combinations. He recently captured the vacant IBF title earlier this year, knocking out Jack Culcay in the 11th round on April 6 at Stadthalle, Falkensee, Germany. It will be Bakhram’s first defense of his IBF belt.
Tszyu lost the WBO belt to Sebastian Fundora via a 12-round split decision earlier this year on March 30 in Las Vegas. The fight quickly took its toll on Tszyu, but after a nasty cut in the second round, he struggled with blood leaking from his eyes.
The 6’6″ Fundora accidentally elbowed Tszyu in the forehead, opening a huge hole that bled profusely for the remainder of the contest. Tszyu’s corner should have considered taking him out at one point because he wasn’t seeing well, and he took a lot of unnecessary punishment.
“They keep saying that Bakhram is being avoided. That is nonsense. I’ve been chasing him,” said Tim Tszyu while talking to Fox Sports Australia about Bakhram Murtazaliev’s IBF junior middleweight title on Saturday night.
“It’s a tough challenge, I think, but I’ve come to show that I’m at a high level.” Some guys are not lit at all. It’s not my fault. He is a step-side fighter. I’m here to take on the biggest challenges, the hardest battles, and the biggest battles to create a legacy and make a ton of money.
“He on the other side. You put aside money, this and that. We are in two different worlds. I’ve gotten used to the fact that people are taller than me. They can be as tall as they want. I’m older, and I’m used to eliminating all distractions. It’s not about who’s around me. It depends on me. Australia, we will have the world champions coming home.
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