Exclusive: Two-Time World Champion Reacts to Tim Tszyu’s Loss to Murtazaliev

At the Caribe Royale Orlando on October 19, Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) sensationally defeated Tim Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) in three rounds, knocking him down four times on the way to an impressive TKO victory, retaining his IBF super welterweight title. The main event was promoted by No Limit Boxing and Main Events, streamed exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Following this destructive fight, our very own TJ Rives spoke to two-time welterweight champion Shawn Porter who shared his reaction.

Shawn Porter Breaks Down Tim Tszyu Defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev

Two-Time World Champion Warns Everyone at 154

Sharing his reaction to the devastating loss for Tszyu: “Showtime” said: “Not what the Tszyu corner expected. I personally believe Murtazaliev came out a little different than they thought he would, and Tszyu ended up walking into some things. Loose defence this evening. Bad, slow, no speed on his punches. Never got started. Never got the engine going. For Murtazaliev, that was a picture, perfect night for him. You don’t allow your opponent to get going and after two (three) rounds, you go home with a nice cheque.”

TJ then asked Porter if he felt the boxing world overvalued Tim Tszyu, and “Showtime” answered without hesitation: “I don’t believe so. I believe that it’s any given Sunday here. I think this was just a situation where he wasn’t quite ready for what was coming at him and it ended up going the way it went.”

Porter was then asked where the Russian stands in the super welterweight division and he said: “He is a serious force at 154 and the world better watch out at 154. I’m talking to any and every fighter at 154. Maybe with the exception of Terence Crawford.“

To hear Porter’s reaction and more from the “Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast” with Dan Rafael and TJ Rives, click the play button below.

Tszyu vs. Murtazaliev Undercard Highlight

If you haven’t watched Endry Saavedra (16-1-1, 13 KOs) vs. Cesar Mateo Tapia (17-0-1, 10 KOs), please go and watch this 10-round middleweight war. It was a great fight with multiple knockdowns which ended in a majority draw. One judge had Tapia winning 94-92, the other two saw it 93-93.

Check out the thoughts of Murtazaliev following his impressive win.