Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia is confident that Tim Tszyu will rebound in style from his recent loss as he prepares to take on Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF junior-middleweight title this week.
Tszyu, who suffered a setback against Sebastian Fundora in March, is now looking to redeem himself and reclaim a title. Opetaia believes that despite the tough defeat, Tszyu has learned valuable lessons that will help him succeed in his upcoming fight.
Tszyu’s loss to Fundora was particularly challenging, as an early cut from an elbow impacted his vision for most of the fight. Nonetheless, Opetaia remains optimistic, stating, “He had a bit of bad luck with that cut, but it’s all part of learning. I’m backing him all the way.” He added that it’s inspiring to see a fellow Aussie on the world stage and believes Tszyu has what it takes to overcome Murtazaliev.
Australian boxing has been enjoying a significant moment on the global scene. Recently, Opetaia successfully defended his IBF cruiserweight title, and Skye Nicolson retained her WBC featherweight crown. With Liam Paro also set to defend his IBF junior-lightweight title soon, Australia could potentially have four world champions by the end of 2024, a remarkable achievement for the often-overlooked boxing scene down under.
Opetaia also emphasized the importance of Australian fighters supporting each other. “When it’s in-house, we want to take each other’s heads off. But when it’s our nation, we’re supporting each other all the way,” he said.
As Tim Tszyu prepares for his crucial fight against Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev, Opetaia is confident his compatriot will rise to the challenge, stating, “Every fight is high stakes, but I know he always delivers. I’m looking forward to seeing him bounce back and show the world what he’s capable of.”
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