Tim Tszyu On Bakhram Murtazaliev: “He’s A Step Aside Fighter”

Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) is confident of becoming a world champion again when he challenges IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) this Saturday, October 19th, in the main event on PBC on Prime Video at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

(Credit: Alex Sanchez/Premier Boxing Champions)

Tszyu, 29, says he views Bakhram as a “step aside fighter” and mentions that some fighters “aren’t promotable.” The Grozny, Russia-born Bakhram isn’t well known in the U.S., but if he defeats the former WBO 154-lb champion Tszyu in an impressive fashion, he’ll get a lot of attention from American and Australian fans.

Bakhram has excellent power, and puts his punches together well in combination. He recently captured the vacant IBF title earlier this year, knocking out Jack Culcay in the 11th round on April 6th in Stadthalle, Falkensee, Germany. This will be Bakhram’s first defense of his IBF belt.

Tszyu lost his WBO belt to Sebastian Fundora by a 12-round split decision earlier this year on March 30th in Las Vegas. The fight was dominated early by Tszyu, but after suffering a bad cut in the second round, he struggled due to the blood leaking into his eyes.

The 6’6″ Fundora accidentally hit Tszyu with an elbow on his forehead, opening up a large gash that bled profusely for the remainder of the contest. Tszyu’s corner should have considered pulling him out at some point because he couldn’t see properly, and took a lot of needless punishment.

“They keep saying that Bakhram is avoided. That’s nonsense. I’ve been chasing him for a long time,” said Tim Tszyu to Fox Sports Australia about his title challenge of IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev this Saturday night.

“It’s a tough challenge, I guess, but I’m here to show that I’m levels above. Some guys aren’t promotable at all. It’s not my fault. He’s a step-aside fighter. I’m here to take the biggest challenges, the hardest fights, and the biggest to create a legacy and make a ton of money.

“Him on the other side. He’s step aside money, this and that. We’re in two different worlds. I’m sort of getting used to the fact of people much taller than me. They can be as tall as they want. I’ve grown, and I’ve gotten used to eliminating all the distractions. It’s not about who’s around me. It’s up to myself. Australia, we’re going to have a world champion coming back home.