Tim Tszyu's 'V for vengeance' scar ahead of IBF junior middleweight fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev
By Simon Smale
Topic:Boxing
Tim Tszyu is ready to become a two-time world champion.
In short:
Tim Tszyu will look to bounce back to winning ways against unbeaten Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando.
Tszyu lost his WBO world title in a split decision defeat against Sebastian Fundora.
What's next?
ABC Sport will live blog the fight on Sunday, October 20.
Tim Tszyu says he is determined to leave Orlando with the IBF junior middleweight title on October 20, as he seeks to bounce back from his first professional defeat earlier in the year.
Tszyu (24-1, 17KOs) lost the WBO version of the belt in a bloody split decision defeat against Sebastian Fundora in March.
Badly bleeding from a horrendous gash across his forehead, Tszyu bravely battled on in Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena, despite blood pouring into his eyes from the third round onwards.
However, speaking to media at an open training session in Las Vegas, Tszyu said he had put all that in the past and was looking only at his opponent in 12 days time, Bakhram Murtazaliev.
"I bring the heat every time I get in the ring," Tszyu said.
"I'm coming in with aggression on October 19 and I'm leaving with that IBF belt.
"My cut from my last fight feels good now. It's in the shape of a V so I'm saying it's 'V for vengeance.'
"Could've, would've, should've … my last fight is all in the past. I just have to move on and look for answers another way. The biggest lesson I learned from the Fundora fight was to focus on the present."
After having a fight for the WBA interim title against Vergil Ortiz Jr cancelled on medical advice, the present now facing him later this month is undefeated Russian Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KOs).
Tim Tszyu is hoping to have his arm raised, with a new belt around his waist, in Orlando.
The 31-year-old from Grozny will be making a first defence of his belt since he claimed the vacant title by beating Jack Culcay in Germany in April.
"Murtazaliev is a dog," Tszyu said of his rival.
"That always presents a tremendous task. He's strong and he's got a competitive edge.
"I'm looking forward to fighting someone like that."
Murtazaliev will have a significant 9-centimetre height advantage over Tszyu which, while not the extraordinary 23cm Fundora enjoyed, could still be significant.
"I was on the same card as Murtazaliev once and I do remember thinking that he's a tall guy, but most of my opponents are taller than me," Tszyu said.
Tszyu has not fought a man smaller than his 174cm since Takeshi Inoue in November 2021, six bouts ago.
That meeting took place on Tszyu's US debut in March 2022, when he out-pointed Terrell Gausha at The Armory in Minneapolis.
"We gave each other a little eye-to-eye, like we knew we'd see each other down the road," Tszyu said.
It's a road that Tszyu hopes will end in Orlando with a new world strap around his waist.
"I just love the fight game. I enjoy the thrill of it and I enjoy the progression," Tszyu said.
"I want to get better. I'm never satisfied. I always want to move on and go after the next target.
"That keeps me motivated."
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