In his first title defense, undefeated IBF junior middleweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev put the division on notice Saturday night when he stopped challenger former WBO champion Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) in the 3rd round.
Bakhram Murtazaliev was a newly crowned champion who spent the first 22 fights of his professional career under the radar. His opponent Tim Tszyu is a well-known boxer in the sport, and going into the bout, Tszyu was a 4-1 betting favorite.
At the start of the first round, Murtazaliev was active with the jab. In the second half of the opening round, Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev traded solid power shots. Tszyu had success landing the right hand while Murtazaliev was able to connect with the right hand and the left hook.
Early in round 2, the champion Bakhram Murtazaliev connected with the one-two combo, immediately following it up by landing a big right hand. Challenger Tim Tszyu responded by pressing forward and landing a hard right hand.
Seconds later, Murtazaliev landed a left hook that sent Tszyu to the canvas. Tszyu was able to get up, but he went down for a second time as Murtazaliev connected with another strong left hand.
Standing on wobbly legs, Tim Tszyu stood in the pocket and exchanged power shots with the defending IBF champion. Trading power shots, Tszyu was visibly hurt again when Murtazaliev landed a double left hook.
An off-balance Tim Tszyu tried to hold on, but Murtazaliev avoided the backlash by landing hard rights and lefts. In the closing seconds of the second round, Murtazaliev landed a big right, followed by a left hook. Murtazaliev would go on to land his third takedown of the round when he landed an overhand right.
A match Tim Tszyu was prepared to go out for the third round, but the doctor came into the ring to examine Tszyu. After examining Tszyu, the doctor allowed the fight to continue. Tszyu came out and tried to tighten his high guard, but Murtazaliev landed shots around the guard.
Murtazaliev’s left hook was money all night as he dropped Tszyu for a fourth time after connecting with a counter left hook. Once again, Tszyu was able to get up and continue, but after being caught with consecutive right hands, Tszyu’s corner threw in the towel to officially stop the fight.
Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) achieved his goal of making a statement at the expense of one of the most recognizable boxers in the weight class. Coming off the heels of the biggest win of his career, Murtazaliev looks set to capitalize on his success.
Before his fight with Tim Tszyu, some people labeled Murtazaliev as the weakest champion at 154. Bakhram Murtazaliev plans to test that theory as he has expressed his desire to unify the titles by facing WBA champion Terence “Bud” Crawford, or WBO/WBC champion. Sebastian Fundora.
