Tim Tszyu previews Bakhram Murtazaliev fight
Australian superstar and former world champion Tim Tszyu held a virtual press conference Tuesday before he challenges unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev in the main event of PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video action Saturday, October 19 from the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The 29-year-old Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) will return to the ring for the first time since a split decision defeat to Sebastian Fundora in a WBC and WBO 154-Pound World Title clash in March.
After taking on Fundora as a late replacement opponent following an injury to Keith Thurman, Tszyu suffered a gruesome cut from an accidental elbow in round three.
Despite being impaired by flowing blood, Tszyu fought valiantly through the 12th round before coming up short on the cards.
Now Tszyu returns with an opportunity to become a two-time world champion against the undefeated Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) in the 12-round headliner of PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video, which begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.
Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available through Ticketmaster. The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing and Main Events.
Here is what Tszyu had to say Tuesday: “This is another big opportunity for me to come back to the U.S. in front of a big audience and fight for another world title. I can’t wait to grab the opportunity with both hands.
“I’m bringing the heat. Hopefully he doesn’t take a step back, because everyone knows my style. Hopefully there’s less blood from me this fight, but we’re definitely going to bring the fans a fight to remember.
“I’m feeling great and all cleared from the cut in my last fight. I was ready to get back in the ring, because I like to keep myself busy. That’s what I’m all about.
“There was plenty to learn from my last fight. It was a close one. We definitely put on a show and gave the fans bang for their buck. That’s what boxing is all about.
“I had to reset and put emotions aside when the cut happened. It is what it is, we had to move on. Now I’m fighting for the world title and that’s all that’s on my mind right now.
“I have no fear. It doesn’t exist in my bloodstream at all. I just want the biggest and best challenges out there. Whoever the ‘bad guy’ is, I want them fed to me.
“I haven’t watched too much of Bakhram. I know that when he gets hit, he comes at you more. That can be a hard style. He’s got that dog in him. But I believe in my abilities and everything is going according to plan. Nothing is supposed to be easy on the road to the top. There’s no such thing as an easy fight. You have to go through the fire.
“This division is red hot. There’s a lot of big matchups to be made. When you think about all the great fighters, there’s going to be a lot of exciting fights and I can’t wait to be a part of them.
“The Aussie fans are the ones who put me into this position. When I go into the ring I feel like I have the whole country behind me. It means a lot to me.
“I’m not satisfied at the moment, because there’s a long way to go that I want to reach. We’re still at the bottom level right now.”