LAS VEGAS — Tim Tszyu will problem Bakhram Murtazaliev for his IBF tremendous welterweight world title at a venue in Florida, probably Orlando, on October 19.
That’s in keeping with two World Boxing Information sources with information of the struggle settlement.
One supply added that it’s a part of a tentative three-fight plan which might see Tszyu run a gauntlet of top-tier fighters within the wildly aggressive 154-pound weight class.
Tszyu was a must-see attraction even earlier than his bloody battle with Sebastian Fundora earlier this yr, in an occasion which kick-started the Premier Boxing Champions period on Prime Video.
Although the struggle was shut, an argument might have been made that Tszyu had finished sufficient to get the win himself.
The actual fact he left the canvas wanting like against the law scene might have gone towards him, although, as Fundora scored eye-catching harm. Fundora in the end received by cut up determination.
Regardless, Tszyu’s return is a big one because the struggle with Murtazaliev is “a finished deal,” per a WBN supply.
We clarified this with a second supply near Tszyu, and that supply stated all the things was prepared for October 19 in Florida.
Murtazaliev received the IBF belt in April with an Eleventh-round knockout win over Jack Culcay in Germany to advance his professional boxing document to 22 wins (16 KOs).
The October struggle can be Murtazaliev’s hardest problem but as Tszyu’s loss to Fundora in March adopted years of wins over Jeff Horn, Terrell Gausha, Tony Harrison, and Brian Mendoza, and so he’s established himself as a battle-tested participant within the division.
Although Tszyu enters the world championship bout off a loss, the IBF mandated the title struggle with Murtazaliev earlier in August.
“It’s time to develop into a two-time world champ,” Tszyu stated, in keeping with his promoter’s official web site, when it grew to become public information the IBF have been mandating the bout.
He even stated he’s had his eyes on Murtazaliev for years as they have been first linked with each other in 2019, earlier than he headed into the struggle with Harrison.
“It’s good he’s received the title, and it’s been mandated,” stated Tszyu earlier this month. “He can’t be hiding anymore.”
Tszyu’s world championship struggle in October is a part of a tentative three-fight plan, a supply near the fighter with direct information of the scenario informed World Boxing Information.
The three-fight plan begins with Murtazaliev, and if Tszyu is profitable — and injury-free — he might struggle Premier Boxing Champions puncher Erickson Lubin as quickly as December.
Lubin has twice proven that it’s not about how exhausting you hit — and he hits exhausting — however how exhausting you get hit and preserve transferring ahead.
It’s because, after his debut loss to Jermell Charlo, Lubin gave a masterclass in the right way to rebound from a first-round knockout defeat by placing collectively six wins in a row.
He then bumped into Fundora and misplaced a Battle of the 12 months contender that World Boxing Information attended at a Las Vegas venue in 2022. Since that defeat, he’s overwhelmed Luis Arias and Jesus Ramos in back-to-back fights.
Ought to Tszyu beat Murtazaliev and Lubin, then a rematch with Fundora turns into that a lot larger, finishing the third a part of a three-part plan for Tszyu, our supply completed. The Fundora vs Tszyu struggle might happen as quickly as Q1 in 2025.
The supply burdened that plans are topic to alter, as is commonly the case in a sport like boxing.
World Boxing Information was with Tszyu quite a few occasions within the build-up to, and instant aftermath of, his struggle with Fundora. And Tszyu stated again and again that he’s “a throwback fighter.”
Tszyu’s resume, efficiency towards Fundora, and plans for the close to future all appear to assist his assertion.
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the 12 months finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Comply with Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
