Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Tim Tszyu: Press Conference Quotes and Fight Prediction

Bakhram Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) and Tim Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) soon clash for super welterweight gold.

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

Murtazaliev will defend his IBF super welterweight title against Tszyu for the first time. He won the belt with an eleventh-round knockout win over Jack Culcay in April. Ahead of their October 19 clash, Murtazaliev and Tszyu held a press conference. Below is some of what they had to say.

Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Tim Tszyu Press Conference Quotes

Bakhram Murtazaliev

“I’m not going to talk much,” said Murtazaliev through an interpreter. “I just want to thank everybody who helped to organize this bout. I want to help everybody who’s participating here. I’m not going to talk much. Let’s wait till Saturday and we’re going to have a good bout.”

Tim Tszyu

“I’m a young kid just living his dream, you know,” said Tszyu. “First guy to headline an Amazon Prime card, pay-per-view. Now the first free to air [sic]*…A lot of hard work comes into this. For me, this fight is not just an ordinary fight. This is a vengeance fight. It’s not just a world title, but it’s the comeback. I believe I am the man at 154, I just need the time to prove it. I keep taking these one-on-one fights, one by one I’m looking to get rid of each and every one of them. Bakhram, there’s nothing personal there, but I’m no sideline fighter. I’m coming in as a former world champion but [leaving as] and the new.”

*Clarification: Other boxing events have aired on Prime Video prior to Tszyu’s clash against Murtazaliev and the one he had against Sebastian Fundora. Tszyu appears to have misspoken.

Fight Prediction

Tszyu appears highly motivated and has fought at a higher level than his opponent. The former champion expects this to be an easy fight, and Big Fight Weekend also expects so. Murtazaliev does have some physical advantages (such as height) that he can use to his advantage, but it is hard to see him winning this. Expect a stoppage win for Tszyu in the middle rounds.

Full Press Conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions.