TIM TSZYU is set to challenge for a world title in his next fight.
The IBF has ordered the Australian super-welterweight to face their champion, Bakhram Murtazaliev, with the date and time yet to be confirmed. Murtazaliev clinched the vacant title—previously held by former undisputed champion Jermell Charlo—by defeating Jack Culcay with an 11th-round knockout on April 11 in Germany.
Just eleven days before, Tszyu suffered his first loss against Sebastian Fundora in a unification bout. The split-decision loss in Las Vegas marked the end of Tszyu’s five-month WBO title reign, with Fundora also claiming the WBC title.
During the fight, Tszyu sustained a severe cut that has kept him sidelined since, leading to the cancellation of his proposed August 3rd match against Vergil Ortiz Jr in Los Angeles.
Although American Erickson Lubin was rumored to face Tszyu on September 22, his representatives informed the IBF that he would not be medically fit to compete.
Australia’s Main Event Television was the first to interview Tszyu regarding his world title opportunity.
“I’ve been patient for a long time, and finally hearing this news has got me pumped,” he expressed.
Sharing his thoughts on the new IBF champion, Tszyu commented, “He’s a world champion for a reason, but at the level that I aspire to be, you have to defeat them all. One by one, they will all fall. I am eagerly anticipating the challenge ahead.”