Boxing coach John Pullman is known for his keen understanding and in-depth knowledge of the sport. shares his thoughts after seeing IBF junior middleweight champion Bakram Murtazaliyev Scored a technical knockout over Tim Su on Saturday night at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.
Tszyu, who heads Premier Boxing Champions’ first pay-per-view card in March He lost a majority decision to Sebastian Fundora, a fight that left him with serious injuries. Until the match against Virgil Ortiz Jr. in August had to be postponed.
Pullman reflects on the difficult road Tszyu 24-2 (17 KO) has faced.
“I saw a guy fighting hard against Fundora, but he looked good, he looked fast and strong,” Pullman said. “It was like two chainsaws chasing each other, and Murtazaliev hit Tszyu with a good shot. Murtazaliev was able to take. They go, Tszyu breaks him too. But he couldn’t accept it. The other party seemed to have a better chin. More resistant to fleas.”
Pullman points to a key factor in Tszyu’s struggles: Left hook from Murtazaliev 23-0 (17 KO).
“Murtazaliev’s left hook kept putting him down,” Pullman explained. Then a left hook will catch him again. Maybe he couldn’t see that punch very well. But the bullet injured him.
“When you fall, you realize that this guy might be stronger than I thought. At that point You need another path to victory. But Tszyu seems to have no answer other than to just punch.”
Considering the impact of Tszyu’s previous Fandora fight, Pullman thinks it may have played a role in his performance.
“I think he was worried about the wound he got from Fundora,” Pullman said. “He was probably worried it would open again. Especially with the headbutt. That battle had cost him a lot. Maybe he sensed Murtazaliev’s strength and presence right away. You can feel someone’s energy when you take the stage, and maybe Tszyu knew he was more in on the action than he expected.”
Pullman admits the toll Tszyu’s latest bout may have had
“He bled a lot when he fought Fundora. So he probably thought ‘Am I bleeding again? Am I going to have to deal with this again?’” Pullman said, “That fight with Fundora doesn’t seem to be as intense as this one. This fight took a lot out of him.”
