Tim Tszyu says he’s decided to depart Orlando with the IBF junior middleweight title on October 20, as he seeks to bounce again from his first skilled defeat earlier within the 12 months.
Tszyu (24-1, 17KOs) misplaced the WBO model of the belt in a bloody cut up choice defeat in opposition to Sebastian Fundora in March.
Badly bleeding from a horrendous gash throughout his brow, Tszyu bravely battled on in Las Vegas’s T-Cellular Enviornment, regardless of blood pouring into his eyes from the third spherical onwards.
Nevertheless, talking to media at an open coaching session in Las Vegas, Tszyu stated he had put all that previously and was wanting solely at his opponent in 12 days time, Bakhram Murtazaliev.
“I carry the warmth each time I get within the ring,” Tszyu stated.
“I am coming in with aggression on October 19 and I am leaving with that IBF belt.
“My reduce from my final struggle feels good now. It is within the form of a V so I am saying it is ‘V for vengeance.’
“May’ve, would’ve, ought to’ve … my final struggle is all previously. I simply have to maneuver on and search for solutions one other method. The largest lesson I discovered from the Fundora struggle was to give attention to the current.”
After having a struggle for the WBA interim title in opposition to Vergil Ortiz Jr cancelled on medical recommendation, the current now dealing with him later this month is undefeated Russian Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KOs).
Tim Tszyu is hoping to have his arm raised, with a brand new belt round his waist, in Orlando. (Provided: No Restrict Boxing/Zain Mohammed)
The 31-year-old from Grozny might be making a primary defence of his belt since he claimed the vacant title by beating Jack Culcay in Germany in April.
“Murtazaliev is a canine,” Tszyu stated of his rival.
“That at all times presents an amazing job. He is sturdy and he is obtained a aggressive edge.
“I am wanting ahead to combating somebody like that.”
Murtazaliev may have a major 9-centimetre top benefit over Tszyu which, whereas not the extraordinary 23cm Fundora loved, might nonetheless be important.
“I used to be on the identical card as Murtazaliev as soon as and I do keep in mind considering that he is a tall man, however most of my opponents are taller than me,” Tszyu stated.
Tszyu has not fought a person smaller than his 174cm since Takeshi Inoue in November 2021, six bouts in the past.
That assembly befell on Tszyu’s US debut in March 2022, when he out-pointed Terrell Gausha at The Armory in Minneapolis.
“We gave one another a bit of eye-to-eye, like we knew we would see one another down the highway,” Tszyu stated.
It is a highway that Tszyu hopes will finish in Orlando with a brand new world strap round his waist.
“I simply love the struggle sport. I benefit from the thrill of it and I benefit from the development,” Tszyu stated.
“I wish to get higher. I am by no means happy. I at all times wish to transfer on and go after the subsequent goal.
“That retains me motivated.”
