Tim Tszyu vs Bakhram Murtazaliev: Preview and Prediction

Can Aussie star Tim Tszyu bounce back from defeat and dethrone Bakhram Murtazaliev in their IBF world title clash this weekend in Orlando?

Sydney’s former WBO 154lb world champion Tszyu (24-1-0) will be in action on Saturday for the first time since March this year when he lost via split decision against American Sebastian Fundora.

Before defeat against Fundora; Tszyu was on an almighty rise to the top of the 154lb division, with nine consecutive wins between 2020-2023. The Australian stopped fellow countrymen Jeff Horn and Stevie Spark, before conquering American duo Terrell Gausha and Tony Harrison.

Then after knocking out Carlos Ocampo in the first round, he collided with Brian Mendoza for the vacant WBO super-welterweight title. He won by unanimous decision, before losing the belt six months later at the hands of Fundora.

This weekend he challenges Russian, Murtazaliev (22-0-0), in a bid to become a two-time super-welterweight world champion. The IBF title holder is yet to taste defeat in a professional boxing ring, and will defend his title for the first time on Saturday night.

Murtazaliev won the IBF title in April this year after stopping German; Jack Culcay in the 11th round of an electric affair.

The 31-year-old Russian has a knockout ratio of 73%, winning 16 of his 22 professional fights inside the distance. Tszyu’s knockout ratio is almost identical, with 17 of his 24 opponents not hearing the final bell.

The Australian is much smaller standing at 5”9 compared to the 6”0 Murtazaliev. However, both men have the exact same reach of 72”.

Both champion and challenger can certainly punch, with their knockout records speaking for themselves. The numbers point towards a very tight affair, however the level that Tszyu has fought at can’t be ignored.

29-year-old Tszyu has fought multiple former world champions and went toe-to-toe with one of boxing’s most exciting talents, Fundora, in a fight that was draped in controversy due to a harrowing cut to Tszyu’s head in the second round caused by an elbow from the American.

The Aussie fought ten rounds blinded by his own blood. His heart and bravery can’t be questioned and the adversity he went through on that night black in March makes him more than prepared for anything thrown his way on Saturday night.

His Russian foe is yet to face such adversity in a professional boxing ring, and with Tszyu being one of the most energetic and heavy-handed fighters in the super-welterweight division, Muratzaliev will undoubtedly have to overcome some difficulty if he’s to hold on to that coveted IBF title.

Fight Prediction:

Murtazaliev may have stopped Culcay in their title clash earlier this year, however 39-year-old Culcay asked many questions of his opponent. Murtazaliev certainly has a good engine and an 11th round stoppage suggests that the Russian’s punch power is ever-present throughout the 12 rounds, but Culcay and Tszyu are on a totally different level.

Tszyu is an incredibly fast starter, and is more than happy fighting on the inside and therefore will want to be up close and personal with Murtazaliev. The height of the champion shouldn’t be a problem for Tszyu, after a 12 round war with Fundora who is 6”5, much taller than his foe on Saturday night.

However an undefeated fighter doesn’t know how to lose, and Tszyu felt what it was like just seven months ago. Murtazaliev is dangerous and will do everything he can to hold onto that belt, but he is yet to face anyone at the level of Tszyu in his pro career.

Tszyu will stop Murtazaliev in rounds 6-9 on Saturday night, eventually wearing down the Russian with relentless work on the inside and punch speed that Murtazaliev won’t have ever dealt with before.