Tim Tszyu vs Bakhram Murtazaliev live: What time does the fight start and where is it being won?

Tim Tszyu has cleared his final hurdle ahead of his fight against Bakhram Murtazaliev, and the Aussie sensation has confirmed a last-minute change to his entourage.

After weeks of speculation and rumour, Kostya Tszyu will officially walk to the ring with Tim Tszyu here in Orlando.

This masthead can confirm the Thunder from Down Under will be in his son’s entourage when makes his ringwalk at around 12:30pm AEDT.

As recently as two days ago, Team Tszyu was adamant Kostya would have a front-row seat, but wouldn’t take any further part in fight night.

BOXING: TSZYU V MURTAZALIEV | Tim Tszyu faces off against undefeated IBF super welterweight champ Bakhram Murtazaliev | SUN 20 OCT 10:30AM AEDT | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports

But after sharing an emotional reunion with his two sons on Wednesday local time, ‘KT’ will be right alongside Tim, Nikita, Igor Goloubev, manager Glen Jennings and late-notice cut man Joe Quiambao.

It’s the first fight of Tim’s that Kostya has attended since his debut back in 2016. He was “a pain in the ass” that night, says Tim, who didn’t want his old man to attend any of his fights until he could seat him in a corporate suite “high up and away from the ring.”

Now more mature and confident, Tim isn’t as worried about his dad causing a scene.

“I used to think it was about controlling my dad, but at the end of the day it’s about how I deal with everything,” Tszyu told this masthead. “It’s just about how I control it.”

What time is Tim Tszyu fighting?

Expect Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev to be in the ring at around 12:30pm AEDT.

When does the PPV start?

The broadcast starts on Main Event and Kayo Sports at 10:30am.

How to watch Tim Tszyu’s fight?

Buy the PPV on Main Event on Kayo Sports here.

"He's one fight away from being locked in with those guys."

Boxing great Antonio Tarver is hyped about Tim Tszyu.

All the build up to today's world championship blockbuster ➡️ https://t.co/7rjeEy7qak

🎥 @1bbradfopic.twitter.com/sYW2DMkk0J

— CODE Combat (@codecombatau) October 19, 2024

Tszyu fires five-word warning after avoiding comeback disaster

“Now let’s kick some ass.”

With those words, Tim Tszyu is ready to rumble after Australian boxing’s golden boy got the green light from IBF authorities for Sunday’s world-title blockbuster against Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando.

Under IBF rules, both fighters were required to undergo a second weigh-in on the morning of the fight and must not put on more than 11 pounds to meet the 165-pound maximum weight for the bout to proceed.

At the first weigh-in 24 hours earlier, Tszyu (24-1, 17KO) recorded 153.4 pounds, while Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KO) tipped the scales at 152.8lb for the super welterweight IBF world-title showdown.

Had Tszyu put on more than 11 pounds, he would have been banned from challenging for the IBF world title in what would have been a disastrous scenario after his loss to Sebastian Fundora in March.

But ever the professional, Tszyu and his rival Murtazaliev both weighed in at 165 pounds _ ensuring the bout will officially proceed as the Australian looks to become a two-time world champion.

Tszyu walked into the gym at the Caribe Royale Resort with his entourage, including father Kostya, holding his trademark worry beads, and stepped onto the scales under the watchful eye of an IBF official.

After the IBF official called correct weight, Tszyu stepped off the scales, put his shirt back on, and confidently declared: “Now let’s kick some ass”.

That won’t be an easy assignment, with tough-as-nails Chechen Murtazaliev looking cold, calm and calculating as he followed Tszyu into the gym five minutes later before also recording an even 165 pounds.

“Unbelievable. On the dot,” said Tszyu’s manager Glen Jennings.

Tszyu hired a personal chef, Omar Iferd, two years ago and the professional cook’s cutting-edge dietary plans ensure the ‘Soul Taker’ never fails to make weight.

Missing weight is a cardinal sin in boxing that reeks of unprofessionalism, but Tszyu was lean and mean as he looks to bounce back from his Fundora bloodbath and inflict the first loss of Murtazaliev’s career.

“We’re very pleased,” Jennings said of Tszyu’s preparation.

“You can call that scientific or rolling the dice or whatever, but chef Omar and Tim got it right.

“Tim was 165 (pounds), bang on.

“It’s all perfect. Here we go. Tonight is the night … let’s go.”

Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev both weighed in at 165 pounds. Picture: No Limit Boxing

Seeing Murtazaliev from close range, he is a frightening figure. His dark eyes are as cold as they are intimidating and he has goaded Tszyu, warning he has one-punch knockout power and if he connects, the Aussie “will be going down for sure”.

But Tszyu is mindful of the repercussions. Back-to-back defeats on American soil would leave his career, and the Tszyu empire, in tatters.

The 29-year-old son of Kostya has vowed to conquer America. It starts on Sunday.

“I am willing to die in this fight,” he said.

“One victory can get you all the way to the top, and one loss can take you all the way down to the bottom. That’s the beauty of this sport.

“I know this is a huge fight for myself and where I go in boxing.

“I want to show all the other guys in this division, this is the right to prove I’m the one.

“I went to hell and back (after losing to Fundora) and this is my vengeance.

“I’m a man on a mission. This is my comeback … and I’m going to make a statement.”

Tszyu v Murtazaliev: Where the fight will be won

Bakhram Murtazaliev wore a smug grin as he stepped on the scales at 152.8 pounds – well below the 154 pound limit.

It could be his undoing.

The IBF world champion is nine centimetres taller than Tim Tszyu, has a long, very hittable body and limited footwork.

Tszyu on the other hand is built like a tank, is thick through the trunk and loves going to the body.

That’s why they call him the Soul Taker.

He breaks opponents with relentless body attacks, wearing them down and eliminating their will to fight on. Just ask Jeff Horn, Dennis Hogan or Stevie Spark.

And with Murtazaliev coming in so far under the weight, Tszyu will be licking his lips at the thought of targeting his skinny body.

Former world champion Tim Tszyu and IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev go face to face. Picture: No Limit Boxing

MENTAL SCARS

Tszyu has called this the start of his revenge tour after suffering a bloody loss to Sebastian Fundora in March.

The physical scar from Fundora’s elbow is clearly visible on his head, but have the mental scars healed completely?

Tszyu has spoken about his mental skills coach, Andrew May, and says the cut won’t be an issue.

But you never know how a fighter will react to their first loss until they’re in the ring.

COUNTER PUNCH

Murtazaliev has a nice right hand. His best weapon is a well-timed counter right, which he used to good effect in his world title win over Jack Culcay earlier in the year.

After the opening few rounds, Tszyu will have tested Murtazaliev’s jab and assessed its strength and speed.

If – like he did against Brian Mendoza and Tony Harrison – he can handle taking a few jabs, Murtazaliev must throw the right hand to keep the Aussie off him.

GRIT

Ask those who have seen Murtazaliev fight and spar, and they’ll tell you one thing about him: He’s tough.

He looks tough. He walks like a tough guy. He’s from a tough part of the world.

It’s what saw him finally stop Culcay in the 11th round, when the German just ran out of steam.

It could be enough to withstand Tszyu’s body assault.

CORNER CHAOS AND KOSTYA

It’s been years since Tszyu had a straight forward fight build-up. From hurricanes, emergency appendectomies, dog bites and late-notice opponent changes, something always disrupts his preparation.

This fight is no different.

Will the chaos around his corner – which only features one person who was there for his last fight – destabilise him?

And what about Kostya? Tim has been stoked to have his dad here this week, but what if he loses control once the fight starts?

That’s what happened during Tim’s debut, and is why Kostya hasn’t been ringside for any fights since.

EXPERT PREDICTIONS

Antonio Tarver – Tim Tszyu!

Shawn Porter – Tszyu by decision

Keith Thurman – Somebody’s gonna get hurt

Ben Damon – Tszyu by 9th round KO

Brendan Bradford – Tszyu by 6th round KO

Peter Badel – Tszyu by 8th round stoppage

Jamie Pandaram – Tszyu by 8th round KO

Cody Kaye – Tszyu by 6th round KO, TKO or corner stoppage

Nick Walshaw – Tszyu by decision

Originally published as Tim Tszyu vs Bakhram Murtazaliev live: What time does the fight start and where is it being won?