The IBF super welterweight world title is at stake this Saturday night at Caribe Royale in Orlando, as Bakhram Murtazaliev defends his gold for the first time against former world champion Tim Tszyu.
Premier Boxing Champions promote Murtazaliev vs Tszyu and the card is live worldwide on Amazon Prime.
Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) has only been the championship distance once, winning widely on the cards against Jorge Fortea way back in 2019, and after two wins in 2022, the 31-year-old received an unexpected shot at the vacant IBF title in Germany in April this year, some 16 months after his last contest, against Jack Culcay.
With the Russian behind on one card, and just two points up on another, he found the knockout shots to put Culcay out in the penultimate frame to become world champion.
Murtazaliev now puts that belt on the line against the dangerous Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs), although the Aussie is coming off a first career loss.
After serving as WBO interim champion, the 29-year-old was upgraded, and outscored Brian Mendoza in a first defence last October.
‘The Soul Taker’ then looked to unify in March against WBC king Sebastian Fundora, shipping his belt by split decision, but was admirable in defeat after suffering a horrendous cut caused by Fundora’s elbow in the second round, and he somehow made it to the final bell.
Prediction: This could well be a war, with Tszyu no stranger to going toe-to-toe, and he may force Murtazaliev to do the same. I favour Tszyu, with his superior experience in championship fights, to take a clear points win and become a two-time world champion.
Tapia, Tellez feature
In ten rounders on the undercard, unbeaten Australian middleweight Cesar Mateo Tapia (17-0, 10 KOs) should get past Endry Saavedra (16-1, 13 KOs) on the scorecards, while super welterweight starlet, Yoenis Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) can impress in taking out Johan Gonzalez (35-3, 34 KOs) inside schedule.
Remaining Undercard
In eight round action, Cuban heavyweight hope Dainier Pero (8-0, 6 KOs) should deal with Willie Jake Jr (11-5-2, 3 KOs) early on, and Justin Viloria (6-0, 4 KOs) may need the cards to see off Diuhl Olguin (16-40-7, 10 KOs) in their super featherweight meeting.
At super bantamweight, Carlos Jackson (20-1, 13 KOs) can win on points against Ryan Lee Allen (10-8-1, 5 KOs), a man who has never been halted, and Daniel Blancas (10-0, 5 KOs) can stay unbeaten by winning his super middleweight showdown with Marco Delgado (7-5-1, 5 KOs), also over the distance.
In six rounders, Gary Antonio Russell (19-1, 12 KOs) returns for the first time since October 2022, and he can bank a points win against Jaden Burnias (6-2-2, 4 KOs) at super bantamweight.
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At welterweight, Jocksan Blanco (6-0, 4 KOs) can win early against Angel Ilarraza (9-1, 4 KOs).
Roberto Raul Rivera Gomez (4-0, 2 KOs) can halt Jenn Gonzalez (9-25-1, 5 KOs) in their super featherweight attraction.
The sole four rounder is at welterweight, where Michael Garcia (4-1, 3 KOs) can return to winning ways by stopping Carlos Aguilera Martinez (13-25, 6 KOs).
