Tim Tszyu Rejects Comfort Zone In Pursuit of Boxing Legacy

The last time boxing fans saw former super welterweight champion Tim Tszyu in Australia in the ring on March 31 in Las Vegas, he was covered in blood from a vicious cut on his head after clashing with the elbow of opponent Sebastian Fundora. Few will forget it.

Tszyu lost a narrow split decision in the unification fight with Fundora, now the WBC and WBO champion.

The scar on Tszyu’s head healed in a neat V shape. Tszyu says it stands for “vengeance, vengeance, vengeance.” He intends to satisfy some of that need against unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight world champion Bakhram Murtazaliev on Saturday, October 19, live from the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. 

The card airs at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Fans can start a free 30-day trial to watch the card.

Bloody Good Time

Sebastian Fundora fought with a bloody and likely broken nose, while Tim Tszyu bled profusely from a cut high on his forehead suffered at the end of the second round. Photo: Esther Lin, Premier Boxing Champions

Tszyu suffered the massive gash in the second round, sending blood gushing down Tszyu’s face.

The blood never let up, with the corner wiping Tszyu down and controlling what they could, soaking dozens of towels by the final bell. It impaired Tszyu’s vision, and he could have stopped before the fight became official after four rounds.

That’s not how Tszyu rolls. During a visit to his training camp at the Split T Boxing gym in Las Vegas, Tszyu told me he found value in the experience.

“I realized I was ready to die, no matter what. And when you’re ready to die, you’re a hard man to beat,” said Tszyu.

“(It’s) a memory that’s going to be lived on for years and years. You know, that’s what it’s all about. At the end of the day, who cares? You lost, whatever. You put on the show. You showed respect to how it is, and you showed your true self,” said Tzsyu.

See my full interview with Tim Tszyu here.

Thai Training Camp With Kostya Tszyu

Tszyu decided the inspiration he needed to regroup from the Fundora fight was to take himself out of his comfort zone. It took him to Thailand, where he reunited with his father, Hall of Fame member Kostya Tszyu. The elder Tszyu is one of only ten undisputed super lightweight champions and among Australia’s greatest boxing talents.

Tszyu said there weren’t many other people he felt he could lean on and talk with. “You know, coming off a loss. It was like, all right, no one’s in this position besides myself. The only one that felt it was my dad.

“So it was like a little reunion, little talk, and just to talk over it and think about how serious the son really is.”

Tim Tsyzu traveled to Thailand to train in the heat and humidity with his father, Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu. Photo: Premier Boxing Champions

Perhaps for the first time, Tszyu grasps his father’s accomplishments and recognizes their shared legacy.

“It’s pretty crazy to even think, there isn’t many father and son duos that have accomplished big things. So, for me to do that and to keep pushing it and to be remembered as probably the one of the greatest boxer families ever lived, that’s my that’s my ultimate goal,” said Tszyu.

Now age 55, the senior Tszyu did not take it easy on his son. Tszyu said the heat and humidity of the conditions were brutal, and Kostya Tszyu did not let up. “Yeah, I definitely felt it. For me, it was an accomplishment,” said Tszyu, laughing. “You know, this guy didn’t break me.”

Tszyu said it was just what he needed. “You know what? Sometimes, a flame needs to be lit. A candle needs a flame. A fire needs a flame. And I think that was a little ignition between both of us and a little flame can cause a big fire.

Tszyu (24-1, 17 KOs) intends to bring the heat against Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs), who trains just a short drive across the desert from Tszyu’s camp in Oxnard, California. Murtazaliev won the IBF title in April with a knockout win over German fighter Jack Culcay. Tszyu is by far the 31-year-old Murtazaliev’s toughest opponent.

Kostya Tszyu will be ringside in Florida for the first time in eight years to see his son in action.

“It’s the first time he’s coming since my professional debut, eight years in the making. So, it’ll be good to see him. It will be good to have him there,” said a delighted Tszyu.

Russian vs Russian Showdown

Tim Tzsyu will face a Russian opponent for the first time as a professional in Bakhram Murtazaliev. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Tszyu is ethnically Russian, facing his first-ever Russian opponent in Murtazaliev. He relishes the opportunity to fight in the U.S. and get a chance to become a division champion again by taking Murtazaliev’s belt.

Tszyu says he hasn’t watched too much of Bakhram. “I know that when he gets hit, he comes at you more. That can be a hard style. He’s got that dog in him.

“But I believe in my abilities, and everything is going according to plan. Nothing is supposed to be easy on the road to the top. There’s no such thing as an easy fight. You have to go through the fire.

After training with his father, Tszyu is fired up. “I’m bringing the heat. Hopefully, he doesn’t take a step back because everyone knows my style. Hopefully, there’s less blood from me this fight, but we’re definitely going to bring the fans a fight to remember.”

View a three-minute round of training by Tim Tszyu preparing for his upcoming fight here.

Eye On Future Opponent Names

Armed with the belt, Tszyu said he’d like to eventually get a rematch with Fundora, but his ambitions lean toward the top pound-for-pound name in his competition division, Terence Crawford.

“Leaning a bit more toward Crawford.,” said Tszyu. “But then again, no one can really ever prepare for a style like Fundora. You’re punching up. You know, he’s taller than Anthony Joshua, Joshua’s a heavyweight!” Tszyu pointed out his relative youth at 29, and the 26-year-old Fundora, giving them time to make it happen.

With Fundora potentially lined up for a fight with former champion Errol Spence Jr., Tszyu said he wouldn’t mind facing Spence if he wins and becomes the unified champion. “I feel like Errol Spence wants to get it on again. I’m hoping he does. As we say in Australia, a barn burner.”

Tsyzu’s Stance On A Saudi Fight

While Tim Tszyu isn’t opposed to a fight in Saudi Arabia, he’s only willing to compromise himself so much for the money. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Tszyu’s apparent disdain for getting involved in fights under the Saudi General Entertainment Authority banner puts him in rare company with Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis. Asked about it, Tszyu said, “We don’t have to sell our soul, as they say, for money.

“Look, I’d love to fight Saudi Arabia. I think it’s an emerging country. But for me, as a young kid and as a boxing lover, America’s where it’s at.

“I grew up watching big, big fights, and for me, there’s always a dream of mine, to be fighting here, to be fighting out of here, and to be experiencing it all.”

Tszyu has settled into life in Las Vegas, a decidedly alien environment in the desert than he’s used to. “I’m used to the beach. It’s a little bit different, but I’m slowly getting used to it. Vegas is hot. I prefer a little bit of that California weather,” said Tszyu.

Tszyu has plans for a future wakeboarding trip on Lake Mead to help him feel less homesick.

Undercard Lineup for Murtazaliev vs Tszyu

Cuban heavyweight prospect Danier Pero will appear on the Murtazaliev vs Tszyu undercard. Photo: Ryan Hafey, Premier Boxing Champions

Murtazaliev vs. Tszyu will headline PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video. In addition, the lineup will also feature undefeated Cuban prospect Yoenis Tellez (8-0, 6 KOs) against veteran knockout artist Johan Gonzalez (35-3, 34 KOs) of Venezuela in the 10-round super welterweight co-main event.

Undefeated middleweight Mateo Tapia, a Mexican-born resident of Australia (17-0, 10 KOs) faces Endry Saavedra, a native Venezuelan training in Tijuana, Mexico (16-1, 13 KOs) in a ten-round opening bout.

Also featured on the card: bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell returns two years after his first loss by technical decision after a cut from an accidental headbutt; undefeated Cuban heavyweight prospect Dainier Pero of Cuba (8-0, 6 KOs); and super featherweight Justin Villoria (6-0, 4 KOs) of Whittier, California.

The 20-year-old nephew of former world champion Brian Villoria takes on Diuhl Olguin of Mexico, a respected journeyman fighting out of California. Ignore Olguin’s 16-40-7 record with ten knockouts. His job is to test young fighters, and he understands the assignment. It will be Olguin’s ninth fight in the last 12 months.