Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) is confident of becoming a world champion again when he challenges IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) this Saturday, October 19 in the main event on PBC on Prime Video. at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
(Credit: Alex Sanchez/Premier Boxing Champions)
Tszyu, 29, says he sees Bakhram as an “outside fighter” and says some fighters “don’t get promoted.” Russian-born Bakhram Grozny is not well-known in the United States, but if he beats former WBO 154-lb champion Tszyu in impressive fashion, he will receive plenty of attention from American and Australian fans.
Bakhram has excellent power, and puts his punches together well in combination. He recently captured the vacant IBF title earlier this year, beating Jack Culcay in the 11th round on April 6 in Stadthalle, Falkensee, Germany. This will be Bakhram’s first defense of his IBF belt.
Tszyu lost his WBO belt to Sebastian Fundora via a 12-round split decision earlier this year on March 30 in Las Vegas. The fight was dominated early by Tszyu, but after suffering a bad cut in the second round, he struggled due to blood seeping into his eyes.
The 6’6″ Fundora accidentally elbowed Tszyu in the forehead, opening a large cut that bled profusely for the rest of the contest. Tszyu’s angle should have been considered to take him out at some point because he couldn’t not look good, and took a lot of unnecessary punishment.
“They keep saying that Bakhram is being avoided. It’s nonsense. I’ve been chasing him for a long time,” said Tim Tszyu to Fox Sports Australia on his title challenge from IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev this Saturday night.
“It’s a tough challenge, I think, but I’m here to show that I’m levels above. Some guys aren’t promoted at all. It’s not my fault. It’s a passive fighter. I’m here to take on the bigger challenges, the fights harder, and the biggest to create a legacy and make a ton of money.
“He on the other side. He puts aside the money, this and that. We are in two different worlds. I got used to the fact that people are much taller than me. They can be as tall as they want. I grew up, and I’m used to eliminating all distractions. It’s not about who’s around me. Australia, we’re going to have a world champion coming home.
