Former WBO champion Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) held a virtual press conference Tuesday before he challenges unbeaten IBF super welterweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) in the main event on Prime Video action Saturday, October 19 from the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Here are the highlights…
“This is another big opportunity for me to come back to the U.S. in front of a big audience and fight for another world title. I can’t wait to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“I’m bringing the heat. Hopefully he doesn’t take a step back, because everyone knows my style. Hopefully there’s less blood from me this fight, but we’re definitely going to bring the fans a fight to remember.
“I’m feeling great and all cleared from the cut in my last fight. I was ready to get back in the ring, because I like to keep myself busy. That’s what I’m all about.
“There was plenty to learn from my last fight. It was a close one. We definitely put on a show and gave the fans bang for their buck. That’s what boxing is all about.
“I had to reset and put emotions aside when the cut happened. It is what it is, we had to move on. Now I’m fighting for the world title and that’s all that’s on my mind right now.
“I have no fear. It doesn’t exist in my bloodstream at all. I just want the biggest and best challenges out there. Whoever the ‘bad guy’ is, I want them fed to me.
“I haven’t watched too much of Bakhram. I know that when he gets hit, he comes at you more. That can be a hard style. He’s got that dog in him. But I believe in my abilities and everything is going according to plan. Nothing is supposed to be easy on the road to the top. There’s no such thing as an easy fight. You have to go through the fire.
“This division is red hot. There’s a lot of big matchups to be made. When you think about all the great fighters, there’s going to be a lot of exciting fights and I can’t wait to be a part of them.
“The Aussie fans are the ones who put me into this position. When I go into the ring I feel like I have the whole country behind me. It means a lot to me.
“I’m not satisfied at the moment, because there’s a long way to go that I want to reach. We’re still at the bottom level right now.”
Anyone outside of Australia excited about this fight? C’mon, Tim. Of all the names out there at 154
why this guy? Is it just because there is a belt?
Keith Thurman would be a better fight if you want to fight somebody in Florida. We are not getting those big fights at the end of 2024. A lot of truly
UN-INSPIRING matchups. I know this guy is
undefeated. Blah, blah, blah. Tank! Where you at?
You’ve been as quiet as a church mouse after the
Ghost fight. People want to see you in there with
some big names. Why do the biggest names only fight twice a year? Fans are tired of that.
What you say has some merit but not when it comes to Tim Tszyu. He’s capturing a belt to attract bigger fights. Crawford stated he wanted to be undisputed at 154. If Tszyu gets a belt, guess who Crawford will eventually have to fight to become undisputed? If Virgil Oritiz wants a title guess who he would have to potentially fight to get a title. Lastly, a title will make a potential Fundora rematch more attractive. Keith Thurman hasn’t fought since February 2022. At this point, Thurman has nothing to offer Tszyu and would likely pull out anyway due to injury. Tim Tszyu is one of a handful of boxers that will truly box anyone. He wants all of the smoke. A belt will put him back in those contentions for big fights.
Well Said!!!!
The way I see it Crawford and now Tszyu
are fighting these guys from the ‘Stans’
instead of each other. Virgil Ortiz fighting
the Ukrainian guy. All of those opponents were certifiably tough. No doubt about it.
The fans want to see those 3 big names fighting each other. You could also add
Charles Conwell in there. And Fundora.
Guess who had the titles? Those “guys from the Stans.” If Tszyu can get the title from B. Murtazaliev they’ll be out of the way. You’re right, Virgil took care of another guy who is tough, but like you said they don’t have big names that excite the fans. These fights are just the process of elimination. With Turki Al-Sheikh lurking around you can be confident those big fights are going to happen. Fundora, Crawford, Ortiz, Tszyu and Conwell is going to happen.
Let’s hope we don’t have to wait until 2026. They always hype those fights up for a long time before they happen. I’m not yet
sold on “His Excellency” being
the savior of boxing. Let’s see what he can do.
Well, I don’t refer to him as “His Excellency” he’s just Turki to me. Not a savior of boxing but he seems respect by mostly all of the promoters because he has the wallet to go with it. Tszyu, Crawford, Fundora, Cornwell, and Ortiz will be willing to fight each other because they’re not as establish as Canelo or Tank who will likely never fight top competition for the rest of their careers. To be fair Canelo has in the past and Tank hasn’t. Once Tszyu gets a belt give it 2025. One of the combination of fighters will fight.
Hey there – don’t be dissing “His Excellency” now.
KEITH THURMAN, the man has not fought in over 2 years, and come February next year, it will be 3 years. He also fought so sparingly over the years. Isn’t he retired?
Let’s go Tszyu!!!
IMO, Bakhram is like a small version of Beterbiev. This is going to be a hell of a fight, with two all-war fighters on their primes.
I think your right, the fight is going to be a lot closer than many think and Bakhram is brutal as well as having good ring IQ. Can’t pick a winner at this stage.
This is why I rock with Tim Tszyu. He’s bouncing back from his first loss and coming back for title against an undefeated hard hitting Murtazaliev. Hopefully he fired his cut-man who was ill prepared. If he gets a title, I would love to see him run it back with Fundora, assuming the fight with Crawford doesn’t happen. A great alternate is Tszyu vs Virgil Ortiz.
If eventually Tszyu fights Fundora again, there are two options to put in place: An elbow guard on Fundora or a helmet on Tszyu
hahaha truth.
A new punch for towering fighters,,,”the elbow hook” LoL !!
Agreed HawnJay. Tszyu is not living off his dads name anymore. He wants and has accepted to fight legit challengers even when doing so was extremely risky.
He might not be the most technical fighter, but he is tough and strong and actually has a very sneaky counter right hand.
I respect the kid for taking tough challenges and for trying fight thru that cut against fundora.
Most fighters nowadays take the easiest route possible to the point it has been very detrimental to the sport.
This is a good matchup. Should be fun while it lasts. If Tim wins as he should, he’ll be set up for bigger names. How about Tim vs Boots?
Pure and simple when Tim fights you gonna get an action fight
Must be nice getting the connection to fight for a title coming right off a loss. No surprise! He has a fan friendly style. But, If the “Aussie Bleeder” haven’t learned to move his head, he be walking on his heals in the next few years. Especially, if he’s against taking a step back. This is Boxing, not rockem sockem.
Too tough for his own good, could have had all the belts by now. Fired the cutman and doctors and bring home all the belts CHAMP