Tszyu secured the vacant WBO International Middleweight title by unanimous decision. The official scorecards reflected 100-88 across the board, statistical evidence of a fight that the former world champion commanded from the first bell to the last.
Tszyu dominated from the start using tight jabs. He stalked Nurja around the ring, pressured, closing the distance to land compact combinations and sharp uppercuts through the middle of the guard.
Nurja proved game and tried to find a home for his own jab, but he didn’t have the tools to stop Tszyu’s advance or break his concentration.
Towards the middle, the intensity of the assault increased. Tszyu began a systematic breakdown of Nurja’s defense, digging in heavy hooks to the body and mixing in straight right hands. This investment below visibly drained Nurja’s energy, making it increasingly difficult for the visitor to offer anything in the way of meaningful opposition.
Despite the lopsided nature of the competition, Nurja earned respect for his durability. He weathered several storms as Tszyu turned up the heat in search of a finish, showing a solid chin and determination to see the final bell. Tszyu emptied the tank at several intervals, but he eventually settled for a professional, error-free performance over ten rounds.
This win moves Tszyu to 27-3 with 18 KOs. For Nurja, who falls to 20-1, it serves as a tough first career loss against elite opposition. Tszyu now looks to the horizon, having successfully cleared his head and re-established his momentum against the bigger names in the middleweight ranks.
