- Tszyu will face IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev
- He will fight Murtazaliev on October 19 at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando
- Australian star has not fought since losing to Sebastian Fundora in March
Tim Tszyu will get the chance to emulate his legendary father as a multiple-time world champion when he takes on undefeated Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF super welterweight title next month in Florida.
After weeks of negotiations, Team Tszyu have agreed that the Australian boxer will fight Murtazaliev on October 19 (October 20 AEST) at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando.
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) had officially ordered Murtazaliev to defend his world title against Tszyu, as the Sydney boxer was the highest-ranked IBF contender and a former WBO world champion.
But after a number of planned blockbusters fell through, mainly due to his opponents failing to show up, Tszyu feared Murtazaliev would be the next to abandon him.
The 29-year-old’s promoter said his impending meeting with destiny was nothing less than what Tszyu deserved, having only been forced to relinquish his WBO title in March following a painful defeat to American Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.
Tszyu was undefeated and won the first two rounds until he suffered a horrific head injury after hitting Fundora’s elbow and eventually lost on split decision.
“There are very few fighters in the world who can go through what Tim went through in his last fight and come out bigger, better and stronger than ever before,” said No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose.
‘Tim Tszyu is that guy. He lives to fight and has a warrior spirit that is completely unbreakable.
Tim Tszyu to face IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in Florida
Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev (pictured) is currently undefeated as a professional
“You don’t want to miss this. He’s going to remind everyone why he’s the best 154-pounder in the world.”
If Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) can defeat Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs), he will join his former world champion father Kostya as the first Australian father-son boxer to claim multiple world titles.
“At this level you have to take out everyone and Bakhram is the next one who stands in my way,” Tszyu said.
“The world knows me and they know what I do. I’m thankful to my team for putting me in this position to prove why I’m still the man at 154 pounds.
The Australian boxing superstar has not fought since losing to Sebastian Fundora in March
‘Bakhram has what I want and I plan to take it from him in spectacular fashion. It’s time to become a two-time world champion.’
Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events, predicts a battle that will stand the test of time.
“Even before his spectacular victory over Jack Culcay, which won him the IBF title in Germany, Bakhram made it clear that he wanted Tim Tszyu next,” Duva said.
He also said that he wanted the match to take place in the US so that everyone could see him fight, so I am very happy that this deal has come together and that it can take place on Prime Video in front of a large audience.
‘Both fighters are eager to fight and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the fight of the year.’
The event will be broadcast in Australia on Foxtel’s Main Event and Kayo Sports.