Hullo fight fans!
We’ve got a big day of fistic fury coming your way when Tim Tszyu attempts to become a world champion for the second time.
Tszyu is facing off against Bakhram Murtazaliev in a bid to take the IBF super-welterweight title from the undefeated Russian. This is a huge fight for Tszyu, who is returning to the ring for the first time since that dramatic loss to Sebastian Fundora.
Tim Tszyu, right, and IBF super-welterweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.Credit: No Limit
A win here gets Tszyu back on track to face some of the biggest names in world boxing. However, a loss would be a devastating career setback that would send him sliding down the world rankings.
The main fight is likely to begin just after 1pm, so we’ll bring you all the action before, during and after.
There’s plenty at stake, so enjoy the ride!
The Australian lands a bomb!
I can’t believe what I’ve just seen!
Mateo Tapia has been absolutely monstered in the opening five rounds. The Aussie showed incredible guts just to come out for the fourth round after being dropped twice in the third.
And then, seemingly from out of nowhere, Tapia landed a huge right hand, flush on Saavedra’s chin, knocking the Venezuelan to the canvas at the end of the fifth round.
What a stunning blow! Could this be the moment that changes the momentum?
The Australian goes down!
Massive drama for Mateo Tapia here.
He has just been knocked down, twice, in the third round. The referee came very close to stopping the contest, warning him it was over if he went down again. The bell ultimately saved him and the contest will go into a fourth round.
The Aussie will need to do something special to recover from this.
Aussie action now with Mateo Tapia
Tim Tszyu isn’t the only Australian on this three-fight card.
Mateo Tapia is an undefeated Sydneysider (17 wins, 10 KOs) who will get the chance to establish himself on the world stage against Endry Saavedra.
Tapia, 26, one of Tim Tszyu’s long-time sparring partners, has been described as the best-kept secret in Australian boxing.
His fight against Saavedra has just started, we’ll keep you updated.
Kostya is in da house
We’ve got a big addition to the Tszyu Crew for this fight.
Kostya Tszyu, Tim’s legendary dad, has made his way to Florida for this one. Tszyu senior has only been to one of his son’s fights, the very first one way back in 2016. It was pandemonium.
Tim has often told me that his dad carried on like a “lunatic” on that occasion, and that he was pleased the old man hasn’t been a distraction for subsequent fights.
Tim and Kostya Tszyu training
However, the pair have spent time training together recently and Kostya is now considered a welcome addition to the team’s entourage.
Who is Bakhram Murtazaliev?
This is a huge test for Tszyu. Bakhram Murtazaliev has never been defeated, coming in with a record of 22 wins, 16 by way of knockout. The 31 year old from Grozny, in Russia’s Chechnya region, will have a significant reach advantage given he is nine centimetres taller than the Australian.
Murtazaliev won the IBF super-welterweight belt by beating Jack Culcay while fasting for Ramadan. The devout Muslim expects to be sharper still against Tszyu after being able to make weight without incident in this lead up.
Tim Tszyu and IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev. Credit: No Limits Boxing
We’ve got two warriors with a Russian background ready to rumble. It’s gonna be Drago versus Drago!
Hullo fight fans!
We’ve got a big day of fistic fury coming your way when Tim Tszyu attempts to become a world champion for the second time.
Tszyu is facing off against Bakhram Murtazaliev in a bid to take the IBF super-welterweight title from the undefeated Russian. This is a huge fight for Tszyu, who is returning to the ring for the first time since that dramatic loss to Sebastian Fundora.
Tim Tszyu, right, and IBF super-welterweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.Credit: No Limit
A win here gets Tszyu back on track to face some of the biggest names in world boxing. However, a loss would be a devastating career setback that would send him sliding down the world rankings.
The main fight is likely to begin just after 1pm, so we’ll bring you all the action before, during and after.
There’s plenty at stake, so enjoy the ride!
