Tim Tszyu Out To Prove ‘I’m Still The Man At 154lbs’ Against Bakhram Murtazaliev
Tim Tszyu says he’s ready to “take out” Bakhram Murtazaliev and prove he is still the “the man” at super-welterweight ahead of their world title bout in October.
Tszyu (24-1-0 17 KO) is aiming to become a two-time world champion when he faces IBF title holder Murtazaliev (22-0-0 16 KO) at Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida on October 19.
“At this level, you have to take everyone out and Bakhram is the next guy standing in my way,” said Tszyu. “The world knows me, and they know what I’m about. I’m thankful to my team for putting me in this position to prove why I’m still the man at 154 pounds. “Bakhram has what I want, and I plan on taking it from him in spectacular fashion. It’s time to become a two-time world champion.”
Tszyu briefly held the WBO’s super-welterweight title last year, making one defense against Brian Mendoza in October. The Australian was the interim champion before getting elevated when Jermell Charlo decided to vacate to challenge undisputed 168lb champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Tszyu immediately entered into a unification bout with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, but a fight he was expected to win soon descended into chaos for the Australian after an accidental elbow in the third round opened up a deep cut on his head. ‘The Soul Taker’ fought valiantly for the rest of the fight but was defeated on a split decision.
Tszyu was initially scheduled to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr as part of the Riyadh Season show headlined by Terence Crawford’s WBA title win over Israil Madrimov, but he had not sufficiently recovered from his injuries.
Ortiz instead fought WBC interim champion Serhii Bohachuk and claimed a split-decision victory in Las Vegas in a Fight of the Year contender.
Those setbacks can now be viewed as blessings in disguise for Tszyu, who now has the opportunity to immediately challenge for another world title.
“Next target locked and loaded,” Tszyu posted on Instagram to announce the fight. “Back at it, this time in Orlando Florida part of the first non-PPV on prime tv. Thankyou to my team for making this happen. This one hits different. Back in that mode again. 2-time world champ sounds good. But shot caller sounds even better.
Murtazaliev may be a world champion but he represents something of an unknown in the 154lb division. The Russian, who is now based in California, won the vacant IBF belt in his most recent fight by knocking out Jack Culcay in the 11th round of their bout in Germany in April.
That victory ended 16 months of inactivity for Murtazaliev, whose previous bout was an eight-round points win over Roberto Valenzuela Jr in December 2022.
“I’m extremely happy and excited to defend my world title on Prime Video against a strong opponent like Tim Tszyu,” said Murtazaliev. “I just want Tim to be in the best shape possible and not get any injuries so we can give this fight to the fans.”
