In his first title defense, undefeated IBF world junior-middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev put the division on the line on Saturday night when he stopped challenger, former WBO champion Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) in the 3rd round.
Heading into the October 19 bout, Bakhram Murtazaliev was a newly crowned champion who 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 start of the first round, Murtazaliev was active with the jab. In the second half of the opening round, Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev traded blows of solid power. Tszyu was successful in landing the right hand while Murtazaliev was able to connect with the right hand and left hook.
Early in round 2, the champion Bakhram Murtazaliev connected with the one-two combination, and immediately followed it up by landing a big right hand. Challenger Tim Tszyu responded by pressing forward and landed a hard right hand.
Seconds later, Murtazaliev landed a left hook that sent Tszyu to the canvas. Tszyu was able to get up, but fell for a second time when Murtazaliev connected with another hard left hand.
Standing on wobbly legs, Tim Tszyu stood in the pocket and exchanged power shots with the defending IBF champion. During the course of trading power shots, Tszyu was visibly hurt once again when Murtazaliev landed a double left hook.
An off-balance Tim Tszyu tried to hold on, but Murtazaliev avoided the clinch by landing strong rights and lefts. In the final seconds of the second round, Murtazaliev landed a big right followed by a left hook. Murtazaliev went on to post his third knockdown of the round when he landed an overhand right.
A game Tim Tszyu was prepared to go out for the third time, but the doctor came into the ring to examine Tszyu. After examining Tszyu, the doctor allowed him to continue the fight. Tszyu came out and tried to tighten his high guard, but Murtazaliev landed shots 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 Tszyu was able to get up and continue, but after landing consecutive right hand shots, Tszyu’s corner threw in the towel to officially end the fight.
Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) accomplished his goal of making a statement at the expense of one of the most recognizable boxers in the weight class. Immediately after posting the biggest win of his career, Murtazaliev looks poised to capitalize on his success.
Before his fight with Tim Tszyu, some people pegged Murtazaliev as the weakest champion at 154. Bakhram Murtazaliev planned to test this theory as he expressed his desire to unify the titles by facing WBA champion Terence “Bud ” Crawford, or WBO / WBC champion. Sebastian Fundora.
