By: Sean Crose
The favored Tim Tszyu squared off in opposition to Bakhran Murtazaliev Saturday evening in Florida. Tszyu, 24-1, had been out of the ring for a couple of half a 12 months, and was aiming to take away the IBF junior middleweight belt from round Murtazaliev’s waist. It wasn’t meant to be. Murtazaliev not solely defeated Tszyu, the underdog wiped the figurative ground with him, dropping Tszyu quite a few occasions earlier than the bout was stopped.
Each males began the primary behind their jabs, however because the spherical progressed the fighters started buying and selling leather-based. Murtazaliev landed extra pictures, however Tszyu was in a position to land effectively. The combatants resumed slugging within the second. Murtazaliev, nonetheless, was in a position to ship his man to the mat arduous courtesy of a left hook. Tszyu acquired again to his ft, however a mixture from Murtazaliev put him on the mat once more. As soon as extra, Tszyu was in a position to beat the rely. Damage badly, he gamely battled on. Earlier than the bell., nonetheless, a fusillade of punches despatched the stumbling Tszyu onto the mat a 3rd time. Tszyu acquired again to his ft as soon as once more – however the man was in deep trouble.
The ring physician was known as in early within the third to see if Tszyu needed to proceed. The physician gave Tszyu the okay, and Tszyu continued to battle on bravely. He was doing effectively sufficient till across the halfway level of the spherical when he was despatched to the mat a fourth time by Murtazaliev. Though he was in a position to in some way rise off the canvas, the referee warned Tszyu that he wouldn’t get one other likelihood if he had been to get dropped as soon as extra. Suffice to say, the battery continued, which led Tszyu’s group to throw within the towel.
“Each time I step within the ring I’m prepared to die right here,” Tszyu mentioned after the battle. “I’ve acquired no excuses…you reside and also you be taught, proper?” Suffice to say, Murtazaliev was gracious in victory, crediting God and providing respect to Tszyu. It’s fairly clear at this level that Murtazaliev has been severely underrated by the boxing world. That received’t stay the case for much longer, although. Murtazaliev proved he’s an actual drive at 154 Saturday evening. Huge matches might await.
