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Jake Michaels, Senior Writer
Tim Tsyzu’s boxing career has been left in tatters after Russian champion Bakhram Murtazaliev handed him a beatdown of the highest order in the pair’s IBF super welterweight world title fight Sunday in Orlando.
Making his highly anticipated return to the ring for the first time since tasting defeat to Sebastian Fundora in March, Tszyu appeared uncharacteristically slow and sluggish, miles away from what many had expected to see from someone rumoured to be in line to fight some of boxing’s biggest names in 2025.
Tszyu was knocked down three times in a brutal second round demolition, one that showcased Murtazaliev’s devastating left hook. The fourth time Tszyu hit the canvas, early in the third round, his corner was quick to wave the white flag and concede defeat.
“Every time I step into the ring, I’m willing to die in here. Things didn’t go to plan [and] the better man won tonight,” said Tszyu, moments after the fight had ended. “After the first shot, things didn’t go according to plan. That’s boxing. You get hit and your reactions are slower. I tried my best and these things happen. You live and you learn, right?”
The fight ended with Murtazaliev landing 67 punches to Tszyu’s 37, and 50 power punches to Tszyu’s 25.
The shock loss, now his second in succession, leaves Tszyu without a clear path to another world title fight. It’s a worrying place to be considering the 29-year-old Australian confirmed earlier in the day he would be moving from Sydney to Las Vegas later this year to pursue his boxing dream.
More to follow…