Tim Tszyu’s wait time has been significantly diminished to as soon as once more problem for a significant belt.
The one hindrance is that it may have an effect on his focused combat date.
The Ring has confirmed that the IBF has ordered reigning 154-pound titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev to subsequent defend versus Australia’s Tszyu. The 2 sides got 30 days to achieve an settlement and keep away from a handbag bid listening to.
Struggle Freaks Unite’s Dan Rafael was the primary to report the event.
Breaking: The IBF notified 154 titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu right now that they need to start negotiating the necessary bout. Tszyu is the highest-rated obtainable within the IBF rankings. They’ve till Sept 5 to make a deal or a handbag bid shall be ordered. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) August 6, 2024
Murtazaliev is promoted by Primary Occasions and managed by Egis Klimas. Tszyu is with No Restrict Boxing and likewise signed to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).
The order places to an finish the exhausting seek for Tszyu (24-1, 17 knockouts) to safe an opponent for a deliberate Sept. 22 headliner in Australia.
The Ring’s No. 4-rated junior middleweight was because of headline the primary standalone PBC on Prime Video present. Erickson Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs) was the unique alternative in what would have been an IBF title eliminator. Lubin, No. 5 at 154, withdrew from the unannounced occasion because of an damage that wouldn’t heal in time to decide to the occasion.
There have been rumors that Jesus Ramos (21-1, 17 KOs), No. 7 at 154, would land the project versus Tszyu. No matter has taken place behind the scenes has not come fast sufficient for the IBF to stay idle.
In the meantime, Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) has the chance for a high-profile first title protection.
The unbeaten Russian received the belt on the street and in spectacular vogue. Murtazaliev knocked out Jack Culcay within the eleventh spherical of their April 6 vacant title combat in Falkansee, Germany.
Validation got here from Murtazaliev’s ridiculously lengthy await a title shot. He turned the necessary in Nov. 2019, then accepted a number of step apart provides earlier than he stood his floor final yr. The years-long pursuit of Jermell Charlo got here to a halt when the previous undisputed champion vacated all of his belts.
Tszyu beforehand held the WBO junior middleweight title. The second-generation boxer was upgraded to full from interim titlist final September, additionally a results of an awaited shot versus Charlo which by no means got here to cross. He defended the belt in a twelve-round factors win versus Brian Mendoza final Oct. 15 in Broadbeach, Australia.
The reign led to a gory break up choice defeat to Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), No. 3 at 154. Their March 30 conflict headlined the inaugural PBC on Prime Pay-Per-View occasion from T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas. Tszyu was because of face former welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman, who withdrew because of damage. Fundora was scheduled to look on the undercard and agreed to fill the void atop the invoice.
Tszyu jumped out to a robust opening spherical however suffered a reduce alongside the highest of his scalp when he collided with Fundora’s elbow. His face was a masks of blood at some stage in the combat, which he got here up simply brief on two scorecards.
The wound was deep sufficient to the place he wasn’t medically cleared in time to honor an Aug. 3 showdown versus Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs). The bout would have landed on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
With Tuesday’s ruling, Tszyu lastly has a “who” for his subsequent combat. The when and the place, beforehand secured, at the moment are again in query.
