It’s been seven months since Tim Tszyu’s dramatic and bloody world title loss against Sebastian Fundora, and now the Australian boxing superstar has a golden shot at redemption when he takes on the dangerous Bakhram Murtazaliev.
The Russian is undefeated, and his reign has stretched 10 years and 22 straight bouts — spending four years as the No.1 mandatory for the IBF title before claiming it with victory against Jack Culcay in April.
Tszyu’s loss to Fundora — despite featuring a nasty accidental head cut that made things hard for the Australian — had threatened to cruel his short term world title hopes but he’s been thrust straight back into a fight for one of the division’s belts.
BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV | Tim Tszyu faces off against undefeated IBF super welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev | SUN 20 OCT 10:30AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
“He’s not the smartest, he’s stupid” | 03:31
Tszyu has taken his training to a new level, spending two months at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, with trainers labelling him a “beast”.
He also took a major jab at his opponent on Tuesday, slamming his claims that other fighters had been avoiding stepping into the ring with him.
Murtazaliev was asked why it’d taken him such an extended period to get a shot at the world title, to which he responded: “I do think they might have been scared of me”.
Tszyu wasn’t buying it, telling Fox Sports: “That’s bulls***… I was actually supposed to fight Murtazaliev way back before Tony Harrison.
“But then he came up with some excuse, saying he was injured… I’ve never mentioned any of that. But now, with him saying he’s avoided? There’s no such thing.”
Tszyu also revealed his opponent has consistently moved their fight “back, back back” explaining the fight was meant to take place in September.
Should he defeat Murtazaliev, there’s potential Tszyu could be talked up for potential fights against the likes of Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jnr.
Kostya: “I’m just here to help him” | 04:53
HOW TO WATCH
Fight fans in Australia can catch all the action from Tszyu v Murtazaliev on Fox Sports, Kayo and Main Event.
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
Tszyu vs Murtazaliev will take place at Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando, Florida on Sunday, 20th October, with the card to begin at 10:30am AEDT. Expect the main fight to happen early afternoon on Sunday.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE?
The IBF World Super Welterweight title, and a path to some huge fights for the victor.
BETTING ODDS
Tszyu is the overwhelming favourite against Murtazaliev in their fight.
As per TAB on Tuesday, Tszyu is the $1.16 favourite while Murtazaliev is the $5 outsider.
A Tszyu KO/TKO is paying just $1.80, while a Tszyu win on points sits at $3.
A Murtazaliev KO/TKO is paying $11, while a Murtazaliev win on points sits at $7.50.
“It’s a good feeling” Tim on dad Kostya | 02:42
TALE OF THE TAPE
Tszyu
Record: 24-1 (17KO)
Age: 29
Height: 174cm
Reach: 179cm
Murtazaliev
Record: 22-0 (16KO)
Age: 31
Height: 183cm
Reach: N/A
FULL FIGHT CARD
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Tim Tszyu (IBF junior middleweight/super welterweight title)
Cesar Mateo Tapia vs Endry Saavedra (middleweight)
Yoenis Tellez vs Johan Gonzalez (super welterweight)
Dainier Pero vs Willie Jake Jr (heavyweight)
Justin Viloria vs Diuhl Olguin (super featherweight)
Carlos Jackson vs Ryan Lee Allen (super bantamweight)
Gary Antonio Russel vs Jaden Burnias (super bantamweight)
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