by Two of the biggest names in boxing have ripped the strings off Tim Tszyu and his team after the Australian’s bid to regain his world title ended in an absolute defeat to Bakhram Murtazaliev in Florida on Sunday.
Tszyu’s international boxing career is in tatters after suffering a heavy world title defeat to the Russian in which he was knocked off his feet four times before throwing in the towel after a corner.
The end came almost two minutes into the third round when the undefeated Russian sent the Australian down for the fourth time.
Murtazaliev had knocked Tszyu down three times with heavy punches in the second round alone before the official doctor intervened just seconds into the third round and subjected the Australian to an examination after the referee refused to call the fight at the end of the second round finish.
The doctor let Tszyu fight on until Team Tszyu sent the white towel into the ring when their attack went down again after he was hit flush with another left hook and then smashed with a combination along the ropes.
Minutes after the defeat, stunned fans of the Australian fight took to social media in shock – but a famous boxing promoter and one of the country’s top fighters chose instead to thank Tszyu and the team that helped him prepare for the fight to tear strips from the body.
Lou DiBella Jr – a top promoter and manager whose company has represented fighters such as world champions Sergio Martinez and Bernard Hopkins – has delivered a devastating blow to the decision-makers who sent Tszyu into the ring alongside Murtazaliev shortly after a controversial loss.
Seven months after the bloody, controversial split decision loss to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas, Tszyu had hoped to beat the Russian and restore order as he fought on to the finish despite a shocking head injury from an accidental elbow.
Tim Tszyu (left) was thrown from post to post by Bakhram Murtazaliev (right) in their world title fight on Sunday, leaving his boxing career in tatters
Australian former world champion George Kambosos Jr. accused Tszyu (pictured) in a social media post of kicking the 29-year-old as he lay on the ground.
Like Tszyu, Kambosos (pictured) was world champion before he was dethroned
“Perhaps the worst decision making for a star kid ever,” DiBella wrote in a post on X.
“Terrible judgment on promoter/manager/corner, both 1) for allowing Tim to move on in the Fundora fight and 2) following up with a beast like this guy who brought NO scoring or notoriety to the fight.”
Australian fighter George Kambosos Jr. – who held the unified lightweight world championship from 2021 to 2022 but lost his last fight via stoppage – praised Tszyu’s heart before claiming he was overrated.
“This game is not easy, I hope Tim is physically well, he has always been a good boy, the mainstream media wake up, maybe learn their lessons and stop writing nonsense every second of the day, too much smoke too blow, there’s that.” Other great fighters in the country, God bless everyone,” Kambosos wrote on X.
Tszyu was criticized by former world champion and commentator Shawn Porter for being overly aggressive and facing Murtazaliev, who is known for his devastating power.
In a head fight in the first round, Tszyu tested whether the collision had reopened the terrible gash that had all but ruined his chances against Fundora.
But even worse was to follow in the second round.
First Murtazaliev dropped him with a devastating left hook, then Tszyu had to fight to regain his senses after a fierce jaw combination.
A fierce attack put Tszyu on the canvas for the third time in the round and the fight seemed all but over – but the Australian plucked up the courage to get up and fight on.
Tszyu’s corner threw in the towel twice as he equalized in the third round with a series of powerful punches (pictured)
The devastating loss has left the 29-year-old Australian’s boxing career in tatters as he now has to fight his way back to title contention
The shocking loss prompted famed boxing promoter Lou DiBella Jr. to lash out at the Australian’s team in a social media post (pictured), condemning them for putting him in the ring with Murtazaliev, known for his incredible punching power is famous
But there was no looking back as the Chechen champion landed another massive left hook a minute and 55 seconds into the third round.
Tszyu’s brother Nikita threw in the towel first, before his coach Uncle Igor threw in the towel second.
“Things didn’t go according to plan. “The better man won tonight, there are no excuses,” Tszyu said.
“Yeah, no excuses. I tried my best and these things happen.
“Boxing isn’t supposed to be perfect. So you live and learn, right?”
Tszyu had applied to be inducted into his father Kostya’s Hall of Famer list as he became only the second father and son to each win at least two world titles.
Instead, the 29-year-old will return to Australia with an uncertain future after suffering his second straight defeat after opening his career with 23 wins.
Kostya had joined his son in Florida and joined him in the ring after previously being banned from taking part in Tim’s fights because he became too volatile during the fights.
Tszyu had dreamed of facing big names like Terence Crawford and Saul Alvarez, but now has to fight back to regain his status as a title contender.
He may have to start by facing fellow Australian Michael Zerafa, who denounced Tszyu after the loss, as the two share bad blood since Zerafa walked out of a fight in 2021.
