Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Tim Tszyu Predictions: Can ‘Soul Taker’ become Timmy Two-Times?

Tim Tszyu gets his chance to become champion again as he takes on IBF super welterweight titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev this Saturday, October 19. The Caribe Royale Orlando Resort in Florida will host with Prime Video screening the event. 

Here are my Murtazaliev vs Tszyu predictions ahead of an enticing world title match-up.

Tszyu fights for the first time since losing his WBO title in a unification fight defeat to WBC counterpart Sebastian Fundora. That split decision was the first loss of the Australian’s career and he has a chance to put it right against Murtazaliev.

Making the occasion extra special is the fact that Tim’s Dad, the iconic former super lightweight champion Kostya Tszyu, will be in attendance. This will be the first time the Hall of Famer has seen his son fight in the flesh since his pro debut, due to the fact that Tim resides in Australia while Kostya lives with his young children in Russia. 

While the father-son duo are delighted to be reunited, being able to step out of his legendary father’s shadow has been beneficial for Tsyzu. Famous offspring often fail to live up to their iconic heritage in boxing. But with his old man cheering him on from a distance, rather than a camera-friendly ringside seat, ‘The Soul Taker’ has been able to build his own legacy.

Tszyu has done so by picking up wins over some fine names at super welterweight. Dennis Hogan, Jeff Horn, Takeshi Inoue, Tony Harrison, Carlos Ocampo and Brian Mendoza help make up quite the formidable CV for the Australian. His famous surname might have put him nearer to the front of the queue, but Tszyu has had to fight to stay there.

Murtazaliev knows all about fighting. He has done exactly that to a flawless degree as a 22-0 professional. The California-based Russian ascended last time out, lifting the IBF strap with an 11th-round knockout of former WBA kingpin Jack Culcay. The win sent the German into retirement and Murtazaliev into the conversation at the top of the division.

The 31-year-old takes on as tough a first defence as you could imagine here. Tszyu is a destructive force at the best of times, racking up 17 knockouts from his 24 wins. But after his narrow title loss to Fundora and the evaporation of his unbeaten record, the challenger has something major to prove.

Murtazaliev has never fought anyone this good. Conversely, on paper Murtazaliev is nowhere near the best opponent of Tszyu’s career. Will that experience differential play a part in Florida? 

Equally, you can never be sure of a fighter’s ceiling until you have seen them lose. Murtazaliev might not have a record that passes muster against the very best. But nobody has beaten him in 22 outings. That counts for something. Tszyu must find a way to do something no other boxer has yet been capable of.

The super welterweight division has been wide open since Jermell Charlo relinquished his undisputed throne to chase Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez two divisions above. The winner of this one will be in the thick of it, along with Fundora and the division’s biggest name, WBA titlist Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford. A bout with the latter is the prize all 154-pounders will be chasing, though Crawford for his part seems more interested in ‘Canelo’.

Still, the winner of this fight will likely land a big bout to go with their world title belt. This is a match-up of high-stakes, reputation-enhancement and just a little smattering of family drama.

Murtazaliev vs Tszyu Fight Odds

Tszyu opens as a 2/13 favourite to challenge successfully for the IBF title here. Murtazaliev is 9/2 to score an upset win. A draw is priced at 20/1.

Murtazaliev vs Tszyu Full Card

Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Tim Tszyu

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Murtazaliev vs Tszyu Predictions

I think Tszyu will get back on the horse and ride it all the way to his second world title this Saturday. Murtazaliev is no mug and he has what it takes to hang in there. I think we go to the scorecards here, but Tszyu will build up a clear lead and do enough to take a decision.

If you would like to back my selection you can do so at odds of 19/10.

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