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.

ORLANDO, FL. – September 23, 2024 – Two showdowns featuring rising contenders looking to make big statements against power-punching veterans have been added to the PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video event taking place Saturday, October 19 headlined by Australian superstar and former world champion Tim Tszyu facing unbeaten IBF Super Welterweight World Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev live from the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The co-main event will feature undefeated Cuban prospect Yoenis Téllez battling knockout artist Johan González in a 10-round super welterweight tilt, while undefeated middleweight contender Mateo Tapia steps in to face the hard-hitting Endry Saavedra in the 10-round opening bout at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The action will stream exclusively on Prime Video for all Prime members in the United States and select countries. Join today or start a free 30-day trial to catch the championship card.

Tickets for the live event are on sale now and are available through Ticketmaster. The event is promoted by TGB Promotions. The main event is promoted in association with No Limit Boxing and Main Events.

“PBC Championship Boxing on Prime Video will kick off October 19 with two bouts featuring undefeated fighters in tough matchups, all leading up to the explosive showdown between Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Yoenis Téllez can add his name to the star-studded lineup of top contenders at 154-pounds against the heavy-handed Johan González, while Mateo Tapia sits ready to make noise at middleweight if he can get by the streaking Endry Saavedra in the opening bout. Make sure to tune into Prime Video or come out to the Caribe Royale in Orlando for what lines up to be a night of top to bottom action.”

**YOENIS TELLEZ VS. JOHAN GONZALEZ**

The latest young standout from boxing-rich Cuba, Yoenis Téllez will return to fight at the friendly confines of the Caribe Royale for the fifth time in his young career, as he looks to impress against the hard-hitting Johan González in a 10-round super welterweight showdown.

Trained by the legendary Ronnie Shields in Stafford, Texas, the 24-year-old Téllez (8-0, 6 KOs) stepped in on short notice in July of last year to dominate veteran contender Sergio Garcia and earn a third-round TKO on the Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford undercard. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Téllez has continued to rise in two subsequent bouts, both of which took place at Caribe Royale in Orlando. In December 2023 he closed the show in style with a 10^th-round TKO of Livan Navarro, and most recently he earned a unanimous decision over the previously unbeaten Joseph Jackson in April of this year.

“Fighting an experienced fighter like Johan González is a great opportunity to show the world what I’m made of,” said Téllez. “He’s fought at the elite level and I’m expecting a tough fight. I’m going to leave everything in the ring. On October 19 I’m going to be at my best to put on a great performance and give all the fans tuning in a great night of boxing. The Caribe Royale will be on fire.”

A native of Valencia, Venezuela who now trains in Las Vegas, González (34-3, 33 KOs) bounced back from a May defeat against top super welterweight contender Jesus Ramos by stopping Ivan Herrera in two rounds in August. González made his stateside debut in 2023 as he earned a pair of victories in the U.S., first stopping Ricardo Villalba in August before defeating Guido Schramm in November. The 33-year-old won those fights to bounce back from a close 2022 decision defeat to former world title challenger Magomed Kurbanov. A pro since 2017, González won his first 22 bouts before dropping a split decision in 2018.

“This fight is everything for me, it’s a must-win,” said González. “I’m working hard every day to make sure I leave with my hand raised. My only focus right now is doing everything possible to keep pushing my career forward. I have one mission, victory on October 19.”

**MATEO TAPIA VS. ENDRY SAAVEDRA**

A longtime friend and sparring partner of Tim Tszyu, Mateo Tapia will compete stateside in the U.S. for the second time as he takes on Endry Saavedra, who’s last seven victories have come by knockout. Tapia and Saavedra will duel in a 10-round middleweight clash that opens the live streaming presentation on October 19.

The 26-year-old Tapia (17-0, 10 KOs) was born in Tijuana, Mexico and has spent much of his career fighting out of Australia, where he put in over 500 rounds of sparring against Tszyu. Now training out of St. Petersburg, Florida, Tapia hopes to push himself closer to a world title with a victory over Saavedra. Tapia made his U.S. debut in October 2023 with a stoppage victory over Eric Robles, and followed that up with a 10-round unanimous decision over Keiber Gonzalez in Australia in April.

“This fight is a huge opportunity for me and I’m here to take it with both hands,” said Tapia. “I’m thrilled to be fighting on Tim Tszyu’s card and I’m thankful to my team for making this happen. It’s been a long camp and I’ll definitely be ready when that bell rings on October 19. I’m looking forward to displaying my skills and proudly representing both Australia and Mexico on the world stage. Bring it on.”

Originally from Venezuela and now fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico, Saavedra (16-1, 13 KOs) enters this fight having knocked out three straight opponents since the only defeat of his career, an October 2022 decision against Etoundi Michel William. The 33-year-old turned pro in 2018 and won his first 13 bouts after an extensive amateur career that saw him fight around the world against a bevy of future pro contenders. Saavedra most recently traveled to Australia in March and stopped Isaac Hardman on his home turf in round eight of a fight he trailed on two of three scorecards.

“I can’t wait to take advantage of what’s in front of me on October 19,” said Saavedra. “I plan on showing the world why I belong at the top of the middleweight division. I’m facing a tough Australian fighter who represents Mexico, so I’m expecting a war, just like I bring to every fight. You won’t want to miss this one.”

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