Tim Tszyu faces Bakhram Murtazaliev in October ring return

TIM Tszyu’s ring return has been confirmed as he gets another world title opportunity. Since being publicly removed from Turki Alalshikh’s Saudi plans, fans wondered where Tim would land next. Headlining a PBC show on October 19 in Florida, Tszyu tackles IBF super-welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Tszyu was initially slated to return on August 3 in a mouthwatering clash with Vergil Ortiz Jr. However, the bout was shelved once it became apparent that a terrible cut Tszyu sustained in his losing effort to Sebastian Fundora had not sufficiently healed. Ortiz went on to dethrone Serhii Bohachuk on August 10, and now Tim, 24-1 (17 KOs), has a second date and a new opponent to ponder.

Streaming through Prime Video, this event will not be pay-per-view. Promoter Tom Brown accurately described the Aussie boxer as one of the sport’s most fan-friendly fighters. ‘The Soul Taker’ is also keen to take on any challenges.

As for IBF champ Murtazaliev, he is making the first defence of a title he picked up by defeating Jack Culcay in April. Undisputed 154-pound king Jermell Charlo had dropped the IBF belt. Murtazaliev travelled to Brandenburg to stop Culcay in 11 rounds.

Now based in California, Murtazaliev, 22-0 (16 KOs), from Grozny, Russia, has fought almost exclusively in the States since 2016. After stepping aside while waiting for a crack at the elusive Charlo, this is the first acid test of the 31-year-old’s career.