The big-fight nights just keep on coming and there is another eagerly-anticipated clash on the horizon with Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev set to clash for the IBF super-welterweight title.
The bout will take place at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida and the main card will get underway at 8 PM ET on Saturday, October 19. The main event is scheduled for 11 PM ET.
Our article will give a full fighter bio for Murtazaliev and Tszyu and will also provide you with a full profile for each fighter.
Fighter Bio: | Bakhram Murtazaliev | Tim Tszyu |
Odds: | +400 | -600 |
Age: | 31 | 29 |
Nickname: | - | The Soul Take |
Height: | 6 ft | 5 ft 8 in |
Reach: | 72 in | 70 in |
Weight: | Super-Welterweight | Super-Welterweight |
Trainer: | - | Igor Goloubev |
Record: | 22-0 | 24-1-0 |
Last Fight: | Win against Jack Culcay by stoppage (April 6th, 2024) | Loss against Sebastian Fundora by split decision (March 30th, 2024) |
Murtazaliev began his career by fighting in his native Russia and the 31-year-old upped sticks to move to the USA in search of better training and more opportunities.
The Grozny-born fighter, who now resides in California, had his first bout in the States in 2016 and the 31-year-old made rapid progress.
Murtazaliev won his opening 13 bouts, with 11 of those victories coming by stoppage and then the opportunity to fight for a first title arrived.
The Russian outpointed Norberto Gonzalez to win the WBC USA super-welterweight title in 2018 and continued to make strong progress.
A series of low-key victories followed for Murtazaliev, who had won all of his opening 20 bouts before opportunity knocked.
Murtazaliev traveled to Germany to challenge Jack Culcay for the IBF world super-welterweight title and the Russian stopped Calcay in his own backyard.
That victory earned the 31-year-old a world title and an increased presence in the super-welterweight division and Murtazaliev first defence of that belt will come against Tszyu on Saturday, October 19.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Aggression | Inactivity |
Power | Lacks head movement |
Smart footwork | Swelling and cuts |
Tszyu followed in his father’s footsteps after embarking on a boxing career. Kostya Tszyu was a former world champion and has already emulated that feat.
The Australian defeated Brian Mendoza to claim the WBO super-welterweight title last year.
The 29-year-old has put together a strong record with victories over Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo, Takeshi Inoue and Jeff Horn on his card.
However, the Soul Taker must now recover from his first defeat. Sebastian Fundora proved too strong for Tszyu, but the American is an excellent fighter and there is still time for Tszyu to come again.
The loss to Fundora was a narrow split-decision defeat, and the Soul Taker will be looking to resume progress, but Bakhram Murtazaliev is a fresh and unexposed opponent.
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Pressure fighting | Lack of head movement |
Punch output | Limited defence |
Workrate |
Odds displayed within this article were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.