Bakhram Murtazaliev dropped former world champion four-times in less than three rounds and scored a third round stoppage to retain the IBF Jr. Middleweight title at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.
Halfway through the opening round, Tszyu was cut on the top of his head. In round two, Murtazaliev landed a left hook that dropped Tszyu. A moment later, it was another left hook to the jaw that put Tszyu down again. Murtazaliev landed three more crushing left hooks and a right to the side of the head that put Tszyu down for a third time in the round. Halfway through round three, Murtazaliev landed another perfect left hook that dropped Tszyu hard to the canvas. Tszyu was allowed to continue, but not for long as he landed a booming right to the jaw that rocked Tszyu badly and the corner mercifully threw in towel, saving Tszyu any more damage at
Murtazaliev, 152.8 lbs of Glendale, CA is 23-0 with 17 knockouts. Tszyu, 153.4 lbs of Sydney, AUS is 24-2.
“We just worked on these combinations all the time and when the fight came, it was automatic,” said Murtazaliev. “We worked for 10 weeks on those punches that hurt him. We created opportunities and we believed that we could win this fight.”
“When I landed that first big shot, I knew how hard it was,” said Murtazaliev. “Tszyu is a real warrior and I hope one day we can work together and spar and help each other to grow.”
“Every time I step into the ring I leave it all in there,” said Tszyu. “Things didn’t go to plan and the better man won tonight. No excuses. After the first shot, things started not going according to plan. That’s part of boxing, you get hit and reactions get slower. Bakhram is the man at 154.”
Yoenis Tellez Stops Johan Gonzalez in 7
Yoenis Tellez remained undefeated with a seventh round stoppage over Johan Gonzalez in a 10-round super welterweight fight.
In round two, Tellez started to develop some redness around his left eye.
In round six, Tellez landed a perfect straight to the jaw that buckled and dropped Gonzalez. In round seven, Tellez landed a left hook to the head that sent Gonzalez to the floor. Tellez then landed a big right hand that hurt and dropped Gonzalez and the fight was stopped at 1:57.
Tellez, 153.8 lbs of Stafford, TX is 9-0 with seven knockouts. Gonzalez, 153 lbs of Las Vegas is 35-4.
“We were facing a very experienced fighter with a great trainer in Ismael Salas, so I knew it would not be easy,” said Tellez. “I was just following the instructions of my corner so that I could get the win.”
“The most important weapon I have is the will to become world champion and the motivation to make my country proud,” said Tellez. “Ever since I left my country, I’ve wanted to win for them.”
“I wasn’t properly following what my corner told me to do and that’s what cost me the fight,” said Gonzalez. “Tellez is a good fighter and a good prospect. I think I could have made the fight better for myself if I had been more disciplined.”
“I’m here to fight and let my team take care of getting me big opportunities and great opponents,” said Tellez. “I’m willing to fight anybody.”
Saavedra and Tapia Battle to a Draw
Endry Saavedra and Cesar Mateo Tapia battled to a 10-round majority draw in a middleweight slugfest.
In round three, Saavedra landed a hard combination highlighted by some hard hooks that put Tapia down on the ropes. Tapia rose with a cut under his right eye. Saavedra then landed another flurry for a second knockdown from a right to the body. In round five that right eye of Tapia began to swell. Later in the round, Saavedra walked right into a booming counter right to the head that sent him to the canvas.
In round six, Saavedra began to swell under his right eye. In round nine, Saavedra landed a fuselage of body shots that wilted Tapia to a knee.
Tapia landed 128 of 387 punches. Saavedra was 208 of 558.
Tapia, 160 lbs of New South Wales, AUS won a scorecard by a 94-92 tally, while two cards were even at 93-93. Tapia is 17-0-1. Saavedra, 159.8 lbs of Tijuana, MEX is 16-1-1.
“I thought I could have gotten him out of there because I’m a Mexican warrior,” said Saavedra. “I did everything I could and left everything in the ring. I was surprised he kept getting up, especially after the second knockdown. But he’s a Mexican and he wasn’t going to go out easily.”
“He was getting me with some short shots on the inside and taking my legs and I just had to keep working him and stay in the fight,” said Tapia.
“I was prepared for 10 hard rounds,” said Tapia. “I feel like it could have gone either way. It was a tough fight. I knew he was going to bring the fight and I just tried to take advantage when I had openings. I’m glad we could give the fans a great fight.”
“Everyone saw the fight and I know the fans here believed that I won,” said Saavedra. “I can only do my job. The judges had to do theirs.
