Tim Tszyu speaks for the first time since third round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev vowing to fight on

Tim Tszyu has broken his silence for the first time since his devastating third round knockout in Florida vowing to find ‘answers’ and return better than ever.

A defiant Tim Tszyu has promised to return better than ever and “with answers” after his devastating third round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev.

An IBF world title win over Murtazaliev would have set up a blockbuster Aussie homecoming for ‘The Soul Taker’ in December, before a series of multimillion-dollar fights against the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence and Canelo Alvarez.

But his dreams of boxing domination took a serious hit when he was dropped to the mat four times.

Tim Tszyu is punched by Bakhram Murtazaliev during his devastating third round knockout. Picture: Alex Menendez/Getty Images

Only his phenomenal toughness saw him keep fighting, with the referee unwilling to stop it before younger brother Nikita threw in the towel.

“It is what it is, I got caught with a shot and I couldn’t move on,” he said via Instagram in his first comments since his emotional post-fight press conference in Orlando.

“I kept getting up, but that wasn’t good enough.

“Congrats to my opponent, tremendous performance.

“We move on, regroup and my team will be back.

The most obvious next fight for Tszyu is a domestic money-spinner three years in the making against Michael Zerafa.

‘The Pretty Boy’ has already called him out, promising to “end his career”, but Tszyu is adamant he’ll return to the big time.

“I will be back, I’ll still be in big fights soon,” he said. “I’ve gotta find plenty of answers – from myself of course.

“The main thing my dad told me from a young age: ‘Never give up’.

“If you shoot for the stars and crash and burn on the way, just keep going.

“I’m gonna keep going and keep reaching for the stars.”

Tszyu had a concussion and was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up immediately after the fight.

He was cleared of any serious injury, but remained in America for at least two days before flying.

Tszyu is expected to have more scans in Australia over the next few weeks, and a decision on his future won’t be made until then.

Originally published as Tim Tszyu speaks for the first time since third round knockout loss to Bakhram Murtazaliev vowing to fight on