Bakhram Murtazaliev Demolishes Tim Tszyu in Three

Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) only needed three rounds to retain his super welterweight title against Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs), scoring multiple knockdowns in the process.

The time of stoppage was 1:55 after Tszyu’s corner threw in the towel, giving Murtazaliev the technical knockout win. With the victory, Murtazaliev successfully defends his IBF belt for the very first time. He won the title in April this year with a knockout of Jack Culcay in Germany.

The two men headlined a Premier Boxing Champions card at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. It was promoted by TGB Promotions and the main event was done in association with No Limit Boxing and Main Events. Fight fans in Australia could catch the action live as a pay-per-view on Main Event and Kayo Sports. Those in the United States and select countries could do so with Prime Video, where it is not a pay-per-view.

Bakhram Murtazaliev Demolishes Tim Tszyu in Three

Fight Recap

Both men were loading up on their power shots in the opening round itself. Tszyu was pressing forward while his opponent moved off of the back foot. Both men traded hard shots in round one. Unknown to everyone watching, however, was that this bout would soon take a turn for the worse for the Australian.

Bakhram Murtazaliev scores first by dropping Tszyu with a sneaky left hook early in RD2. #MurtazalievTszyu streaming live exclusively on Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/AZ2prsHfEY

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) October 20, 2024

Tszyu went down three times in round two and somehow got up after each knockdown. The first knockdown was from a left hook with over two minutes to go in the round. A straight right followed by a straight left sent Tszyu down for a second time. Murtazaliev scored one more knockdown shortly before the round ended with a right hook.

Murtazaliev scores two more knockdowns in RD2, dropping Tszyu three times in the round. #MurtazalievTszyu pic.twitter.com/FghI0bPle3

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) October 20, 2024

Before the third round could proceed, a ringside physician examined Tszyu before allowing things to continue. This had little impact on the outcome as Murtazaliev scored a fourth knockdown, this time with a left hook. Tszyu got up and attempted to fight back, but his corner threw in the towel to put a halt to the contest.

“Bakhram Murrtazaliev has sent Tim Tszyu back down under.” #MurtazalievTszyu pic.twitter.com/0hqPIHRRnb

— Premier Boxing Champions (@premierboxing) October 20, 2024

Post-Fight Interview

Bakhram Murtazaliev

“I didn’t know when I’m gonna stop him,” said Murtazaliev through an interpreter. “I just created some purposes and opportunities during my training camp and everything was just God willing. If it was team or something else, it doesn’t matter. God would decide who wins this fight.”

Tim Tszyu

“Every time I step in the ring I’m willing to die in here and it’s the reason why I do it,” said Tszyu. “You know, things didn’t go to plan. The better man won tonight. No excuses right there. He was just that bit better and no excuses. I tried my best and these things happen. Boxing’s not meant to be perfect, so you and you learn.”

Televised Undercard Results

Yoenis Tellez (9-0, 7 KOs) won via seventh round technical knockout against Johan Gonzalez (35-4, 34 KOs). The time of stoppage for this 10-round super welterweight fight was 1:57. Gonzalez went down for the first time in round six from a right cross. Tellez scored another knockdown in the seventh with a left hook. Following a barrage of punches from Tellez, the referee stepped in to put an end to proceedings.

Endry Saavedra (16-1-1, 13 KOs) and Cesar Mateo Tapia (17-0-1, 10 KOs) fought to a majority draw in a 10-round middleweight bout. While one judge had Tapia winning 94-92, the other two saw it 93-93. Tapia went to the canvas twice in round three. The first time was due to a barrage of punches to the head. On the second occasion, it was due to a barrage to the body. In round five, Saavedra went down from a right hook. Tapia was knocked down for a third time in round nine following another barrage of punches.

Untelevised Undercard Results

Dainier Peró (9-0, 7 KOs) won via third round knockout against Willie Jake Jr. (11-6-2, 3 KOs). Peró landed a right hand in round three, as a result of which Jake was unable to get back up in this eight-round heavyweight fight.

Justin Viloria (7-0, 5 KOs) won via seventh round technical knockout against Diuhl Olguin (16-41-7, 10 KOs). The time of stoppage for this eight-round super featherweight clash was 0:40.

Gary Antonio Russell (20-1, 13 KOs, 1 NC) won via fourth round knockout against Jaden Burnias (6-3-2, 4 KOs, 1 NC). The time of stoppage for this six-round super bantamweight bout was 1:11.

Michael Garcia (5-1, 3 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Carlos Aguilera (13-26, 6 KOs, 1 NC). Scores for the four-round welterweight contest were 40-34 across the board. Aguilera went to the canvas in round two from an overhand right. He went down again in the third from a right hook to the head.

Ryan Lee Allen (11-8-1, 6 KOs) won via fourth round technical knockout against Carlos Jackson (20-2, 13 KOs). The time of stoppage for this eight-round super bantamweight fight was 2:37.

Daniel Blancas (11-0, 6 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Marco Delgado (7-6-1, 5 KOs) in a six-round super middleweight clash. Scores were 58-55 across the board. Blancas went to the canvas in round six from an overhand right.