Tim Tszyu will get the chance to emulate his legendary father as a multiple world champion when he takes on undefeated Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF super-welterweight belt in Florida next month.
After weeks of negotiations, Team Tszyu have agreed on Australia’s son of a gun to fight Murtazaliev at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on October 19 (October 20 AEST).
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) had first officially ordered Murtazaliev to defend his world title against Tszyu because the Sydneysider was the highest-ranked IBF contender and a former WBO world champion.
But after having a succession of scheduled blockbusters fall over, mostly through no shows from his opponents, Tszyu was concerned Murtazaliev might be the next to leave him hanging.
The 29-year-old’s promoter said his looming date with destiny was nothing less than Tszyu deserved after only relinquishing his WBO strap in March with a cruel loss to American Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.
Tszyu had been unbeaten and won the opening two rounds before suffering a ghastly head gash after catching Fundora’s elbow and ultimately losing a split decision.
“There are very few fighters in the world that can endure what Tim went through in his last fight and come out bigger, better and stronger than before,” said No Limit Boxing boss George Rose.
“Tim Tszyu is that guy. He lives to fight and has a warrior spirit that is completely unbreakable.
“You won’t want to miss this. He is about to remind everyone why he is the best 154-pounder in the world.”If Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) can defeat Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KOs), he will join his former unified world champion dad Kostya as the first Australian father-son boxers to claim multiple world title belts.
“At this level, you have to take everyone out and Bakhram is the next guy standing in my way,” Tszyu said.
“The world knows me and they know what I’m about. I’m thankful to my team for putting me in this position to prove why I’m still the man at 154 pounds.
“Bakhram has what I want and I plan on taking it from him in spectacular fashion. It’s time to become a two-time world champion.”
Main Events CEO Kathy Duva is predicting a battle for the ages.
“Even before his spectacular win against Jack Culcay to earn the IBF title in Germany, Bakhram made it clear that he wanted Tim Tszyu next,” Duva said.
“He also said he wanted the match-up to happen in the U.S. so that everyone could see him fight, so I’m really happy that this deal came together to take place in front of a wide audience on Prime Video.
“Both of these fighters tend to come forward and engage and I would not be surprised if this turns out to be the fight of the year.”