Murtazaliev vs Tszyu Fight Results: Murtazaliev Scores Upset TKO (Video)

It was supposed to be a family reunion for Tim Tszyu, but instead, it was a horror movie, as he was brutally stopped in three dramatic rounds by IBF junior middleweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

In the first fight attended by his legendary father, former unified junior welterweight world titleholder Kostya, since his professional debut in 2016, Tszyu was dropped three times in the second round and once more in the third before his uncle and trainer Igor Goloubevk threw in the towel to rescue him from further punishment.

Australia’s Tszyu (24-2, 17 KOs) has now suffered consecutive defeats. He lost his WBO 154-pound title and his unbeaten record to Sebastian Fundora in March, when a grotesque cut from an accidental elbow blurred his vision and led to a split decision loss. And on this night, Tszyu was reckless and Murtazaliev beat him from pillar to post in a major upset.

The 29-year-old offered no excuses for the stunning loss.

“Every time I step into the ring I leave it all in there. Things didn’t go to plan and the better man won tonight. No excuses. After the first shot, things started not going according to plan. That’s part of boxing; you get hit, and reactions get slower. Bakhram is the man at 154.”

Russia’s Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs), 31, who won the vacant IBF title on April 6 with an 11th-round knockout of Jack Culcay in Germany, knew Tszyu was in trouble once the first significant shot landed.

“When I landed that first big shot, I knew how hard it was. Tszyu is a real warrior and I hope one day we can work together and spar and help each other to grow,” he stated. Murtazaliev has now knocked out three of his past four opponents.

Undercard Results

In the co-main event,  Yoenis Tellez (scored a seventh-round TKO of Johan Gonzalez. Tellez was simply too strong for Gonzalez from the onset. In round six, he floored Gonzalez with a jab, straight right-hand combo. And in the following round, pummeled Gonzalez against the ropes until the referee waved off the fight. Tellez improved to 9-0 (7 KOs) and Gonzalez fell to (35-4, 34 KOs).

Ryan O'Hara

Ryan O’Hara is an award-winning sportswriter based in Denver, Colorado. The 30-year-old has been recognized by the Boxing Writers Association of America three times for his accomplishments, with a best finish of 2nd at the 2022 awards ceremony.

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