Tim Tszyu had to move his date and place, but still gets a different series announced.
The former WBO junior middleweight titleholder is set to challenge IBF titleholder Bakhram Murtazaliev. As previously reported by The Ring , their match will appear on an October 19 PBC on Prime Video show from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
It will be the first standalone non-pay-per-view event under PBC’s new deal with Prime Video.
Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) helped launch the PBC on Prime Video PPV series, albeit in a losing effort. A gruesome cut hampered his performance in a twelve-round split decision loss to Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) on March 30 in Las Vegas. The unexpected setback ended his WBO 154-pound title.
That didn’t dampen his appetite at all to challenge the division’s best.
“At this level, you have to take everybody out,” noted Tszyu, whose father Kostya is a former undisputed 140-pound champion, a Hall of Famer. “Bakhram is the next guy standing in my way. The world knows me and they know what I’m about.
“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.”
Russia’s Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) attempts the first defense of his IBF 154-pound title. He won the vacant belt in an entertaining 11th round knockout of Jack Culcay. The fight took place on April 6 in Falkansee, Germany and was promoted by AGON Boxing, Culcay’s promoter.
The same status applies here, as No Limit represents Tszyu.
“I am excited to defend my world title on Prime Video against a strong opponent,” said Murtazaliev, promoted by Main Events. “I just want Tim to be in the best shape possible and not suffer any injuries so that we can give this fight to the fans.”
