Shock twist as Tszyu gets another world title shot

Tim Tszyu’s promoters No Limit confirmed the star Australian will fight for the IBF world title against current champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.
A venue or date has not been signed off yet, but Tszyu’s camp hopes it will be held in Australia, giving the Sydneysider a prime opportunity to become a two-time world champion.
Tszyu was scheduled to fight Erickson Lubin in Australia on September 22 in an IBF title eliminator, but it was called off due to an injury to Lubin.
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Lara suggested a bout between the two would take place in December but Tszyu has bypassed him altogether with the blessing of the IBF, who have cleared the way for Tszyu to fight the champion.
It’s a huge result for Tszyu and also an indication of his standing in the international boxing scene, only five months after losing his own WBO super welterweight crown to Sebastian Fundora.
Tim Tszyu on path to another world title. Getty
“I’m blessed to be in this position again and fighting for another world title. It’s amazing. It’s time to become a two-time world champ,” Tszyu said via a statement.
“(Murtazaliev’s) a world champion for a reason, and in this level you’ve just got to take them all out one by one. And they all will fall so, I’m looking forward to this challenge wherever it is. It’s been a long time coming.
“The first time me and Bakhram were discussed was before the Tony Harrison fight, straight after the Charlo withdrawal, so I knew about him a long time ago. I’ve had my eyes on him and it’s good that he’s got the title now and been mandated so he can’t be hiding anymore.”
The American-based Russian is undefeated at 22-0 and claimed the belt with an 11th round knockout of Jack Culcay in April.
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It will be the Russian’s first title defence. Tszyu is currently training in the US as he gets back into the ring after being deemed medically unfit due to the cut to his head, suffered against Fundora.
“Of course I’d love the world title to be in Australia and to be fighting in front of home fans but look it doesn’t bother me, I’ll fight anywhere,” Tszyu said.
“I’m currently grinding in Vegas and I’m working with the UFC guys and they’ve been so strict down there. I’ve become big on the one percenters with everything to do with my life so you’ll see that on fight night and when I come out you’ll see the difference in everything between me and Bakhram.
“Being a shot caller again and controlling the narrative, that’s what you get with being a world champion. It’s my second opportunity to get back to where I belong and to control the narrative and to choose my shots.”
While Tszyu may have lost his belt in his first professional loss to Fundora earlier this year, the star fighter will fight for a world title in his very next bout.
He was scheduled to fight Vergil Ortiz, but was ruled out by a doctor to give the cut on his head more time to heal.