Tim Tszyu’s wait time has been considerably reduced to once again challenge for a major belt.
The only hindrance is that it could affect his targeted fight date.
The Ring has confirmed that the IBF has ordered reigning 154-pound titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev to next defend versus Australia’s Tszyu. The two sides were given 30 days to reach an agreement and avoid a purse bid hearing.
Fight Freaks Unite’s Dan Rafael was the first to report the development.
Breaking: The IBF notified 154 titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev and Tim Tszyu today that they should begin negotiating the mandatory bout. Tszyu is the highest-rated available in the IBF rankings. They have until Sept 5 to make a deal or a purse bid will be ordered. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) August 6, 2024
Murtazaliev is promoted by Main Events and managed by Egis Klimas. Tszyu is with No Limit Boxing and also signed to Premier Boxing Champions (PBC).
The order puts to an end the exhausting search for Tszyu (24-1, 17 knockouts) to secure an opponent for a planned Sept. 22 headliner in Australia.
The Ring’s No. 4-rated junior middleweight was due to headline the first standalone PBC on Prime Video show. Erickson Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs) was the original choice in what would have been an IBF title eliminator. Lubin, No. 5 at 154, withdrew from the unannounced event due to an injury that wouldn’t heal in time to commit to the event.
There were rumors that Jesus Ramos (21-1, 17 KOs), No. 7 at 154, would land the assignment versus Tszyu. Whatever has taken place behind the scenes has not come quick enough for the IBF to remain idle.
Meanwhile, Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) has the opportunity for a high-profile first title defense.
The unbeaten Russian won the belt on the road and in spectacular fashion. Murtazaliev knocked out Jack Culcay in the 11th round of their April 6 vacant title fight in Falkansee, Germany.
Validation came from Murtazaliev’s ridiculously long wait for a title shot. He became the mandatory in Nov. 2019, then accepted multiple step aside offers before he stood his ground last year. The years-long pursuit of Jermell Charlo came to a halt when the former undisputed champion vacated all of his belts.
Tszyu previously held the WBO junior middleweight title. The second-generation boxer was upgraded to full from interim titlist last September, also a result of an awaited shot versus Charlo which never came to pass. He defended the belt in a twelve-round points win versus Brian Mendoza last Oct. 15 in Broadbeach, Australia.
The reign ended in a gory split decision defeat to Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs), No. 3 at 154. Their March 30 clash headlined the inaugural PBC on Prime Pay-Per-View event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tszyu was due to face former welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman, who withdrew due to injury. Fundora was scheduled to appear on the undercard and agreed to fill the void atop the bill.
Tszyu jumped out to a strong opening round but suffered a cut along the top of his scalp when he collided with Fundora’s elbow. His face was a mask of blood for the duration of the fight, which he came up just short on two scorecards.
The wound was deep enough to where 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 finally has a “who” for his next fight. The when and where, previously secured, are now back in question.
