In Orlando, Tim Tszyu, the Russian-born Australian boxer, stepped into the ring to defend his status in the IBF junior middleweight division against Bahram Murtazaliev. The bout was broadcast on Sports Express to a North American audience, heightening the stakes for both competitors. From the opening bell, Murtazaliev pressed forward with quick, precise combinations, signaling his intention to seize control of the fight. Tszyu, perhaps feeling the weight of the moment, approached the action with a more cautious tempo, allowing his opponent to set the pace rather than taking charge from the start. Through the first two rounds, Murtazaliev maintained the edge with sustained work, using a disciplined jab and power shots to keep Tszyu on the back foot. The third round brought a premature end, as the referee stopped the fight and awarded Murtazaliev the technical knockout, delivering the IBF junior middleweight title to the challenger and closing Tszyu’s bid for a second world crown.
According to the broadcast, Tszyu began the night slowly while Murtazaliev appeared more active and ready to press the issue. The Russian-born contender unleashed a series of fast, stinging sequences that tested Tszyu’s defense, and the Australian struggled to match that pace in the early exchanges. Tszyu did respond in spurts, but the early rounds clearly reflected the challenger’s advantage in activity and timing. The commentators underscored Murtazaliev’s ability to control the tempo, and the pattern of the bout suggested that Tszyu would need a dramatic shift in momentum to stay in contention. By the end of the opening chapters, it was evident that Murtazaliev’s aggression and accuracy were dictating the direction of the fight, setting the stage for a decisive finish.
Statistically, Murtazaliev celebrated his 23rd victory, with 17 knockouts, in his 23rd professional bout. With the stoppage in the third round, he claimed the IBF junior middleweight belt and joined a select group of fighters who have reached world-title status in the 154-pound division. In this weight class, other major belts are held by Terence Crawford for the WBA and Sebastian Fundora for the WBO and WBC, illustrating a highly competitive landscape among the sport’s best champions and contenders. The result added a new name to a dynamic division that remains active on North American stages and continues to attract attention from fans and promoters alike, especially in Canada and the United States.
After the defeat, Tszyu stated that Murtazaliev was better prepared and that there were no excuses for the loss. The sentiment reflected a professional approach and demonstrated a willingness to learn and regroup after a challenging night. The defeat marked a turning point in Tszyu’s campaign, underscoring the need for adjustments and continued development as he eyes a return to world-title contention and a chance to reassert his standing on the global stage.
This setback followed a difficult stretch for Tszyu, including a prior loss earlier in the year when he dropped a split decision to American challenger Sebastian Fundora, a result that denied him the WBO junior middleweight title. The implication of the Orlando bout was felt across the boxing community, as fans in the region and beyond watched closely to assess Tszyu’s next moves and the prospects for a swift rebound. In the aftermath, Kostya Tszyu offered his perspective on his son’s first defeat, emphasizing the importance of resilience and continued hard work as the elder Tszyu prepared to support a potential comeback and a renewed pursuit of major championships.