3 minute read
Tim Tszyu and unbeaten Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev have both successfully weighed in for their <i>super-welterweight world title fight in Florida.</i>
Tim Tszyu has landed a pre-fight psychological blow after weighing in heavier than Bakhram Murtazaliev for their IBF super-welterweight clash in Florida.
Tszyu the challenger hit the scales at 153.4 pounds on Friday (Saturday AEDT), with Murtazaliev the champion captured at 152.8 pounds after a week seemingly struggling to make weight.
Tszyu taunted the undefeated Russian for being "dumb" and "stupid" in his preparation after being spotted eating chips and enduring late-night runs in the countdown to Saturday night's (Sunday AEDT) world title blockbuster.
"It just doesn't make any sense at all. I think he's stupid," Tszyu said at the final pre-fight press conference at the Caribe Royale resort in Orlando.
"Just dumb. That's all I see."
Tszyu is bidding to emulate his Hall of Fame father Kostya in becoming a two-time world champion.
Kostya has flown in from Russia to watch his son live for the first time since the 29-year-old's professional debut in Sydney in 2016.
The legendary former unified world champion concedes he's nervous but confident his son will rebound from a bloody split-decision loss to Sebastian Fundora in March and regain an all-important belt.
Kostya surprised everyone when he gatecrashed the final pre-fight press conference ahead of an emotional family reunion for Australian boxing's most decorated trio.
Tszyu's unbeaten younger brother Nikita and mother Natasha are also in Orlando for the fight.
Nikita is also tipping Tszyu to outclass Murtazaliev and take another giant stride towards making the family the greatest in the sport's history.
"I think Bakhram is a good style up for Tim. He's kind of willing to slug it out but Tim, he's got brains in this sport.
"He's got depth to his kind of skill set and he hasn't fully shown all his tools at this point.
"So I think it's a great match-up where he can really just break him down over the course of 12 rounds."
Tszyu is well aware of the high stakes, knowing a victory will vault him back on track towards a mega-money fight against the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence or Jermell Charlo while a second-straight loss would be a huge setback in his career.
"This is not just an ordinary fight," he said.
"This is a vengeance fight. This is my comeback.
"I believe that I am the man at 154 pounds. I just need the time to prove it.
"I'm taking these guys out one by one. I want all the monsters - they don't frighten me."
