Becoming a world champion is the pinnacle of a boxer`s career. Securing that title with a knockout, then following it up with another devastating stoppage against a highly-rated contender, should theoretically make you a hot commodity. Yet, IBF Super Welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev finds himself in a peculiar position: his recent destructive performances seem to be making potential opponents scarce.
Murtazaliev, holding a formidable record of 23-0 with 17 knockouts, first claimed the vacant IBF strap by stopping Jack Culcay in a hard-fought battle. While a significant win, coming under pressure and during Ramadan, there was a lingering perception that the newly crowned champion might be vulnerable. This led to former WBO titlist Tim Tszyu stepping up, widely expected to reclaim a world title. What followed, however, was anything but expected.
In a performance that firmly established his credentials, Murtazaliev delivered a merciless beatdown on Tszyu, flooring the Australian four times before the fight was mercifully stopped within three rounds. It was a statement win, showcasing power and killer instinct many hadn`t anticipated. But according to Murtazaliev, this display of dominance has created a new problem.
Speaking on the current landscape, the champion indicated that his recent reputation has made finding willing dance partners considerably more challenging. “It is hard to get fights. Nobody wants to fight, and nobody wants to risk losing to me,” he explained. This stands in stark contrast to the period immediately after his win over Culcay, when, as he notes, “everybody wanted to fight me” because they perceived his title win as vulnerable.
Recent speculation had linked Murtazaliev to a potential first defense against Britain`s Josh Kelly, possibly on the undercard of the highly anticipated Canelo-Crawford event. However, Murtazaliev offered a rather blunt assessment of these rumors and the state of negotiations, labeling Kelly and his team as “jokes.”
According to the IBF king, his frustration stems from what he describes as an alleged collapse in communication. He claims that after his team agreed to the proposed fight terms, the dialogue from Kelly`s side ceased. “They are calling me out and then as soon as I say ‘yes, I want to fight’, nobody is there, they all disappear,” Murtazaliev stated, expressing bewilderment given Kelly`s pedigree as a former Olympian and skilled professional.
He suggested that perhaps the motivation behind the initial call-out was merely to generate hype, or that fear might have played a role in their subsequent silence. Murtazaliev emphasized his readiness and willingness to face Kelly anywhere, highlighting that a world title fight of this magnitude could happen on multiple continents. For now, however, he feels his side has done their part in trying to make the fight happen, with the ball seemingly stuck on the other side.
Despite the current impasse in securing a significant title defense, Murtazaliev remains focused. He aims to continue his reign at 154 pounds, ideally seeking unification bouts or other major challenges within the division. However, he is also pragmatic about the future. Should the top names continue to avoid him, he is prepared to make the move up to the middleweight division (160 lbs) in pursuit of further world titles.
Murtazaliev and his team are committed to keeping him in fighting shape, maintaining a state of “before camp ready” so that he can accept a fight call with relatively short notice. The message is clear: the champion is ready to fight; he just needs someone willing to step into the ring with the division`s most feared knockout artist.
As the super-welterweight landscape navigates its post-Tszyu reality, Bakhram Murtazaliev waits. A dominant champion, perhaps *too* dominant for the comfort of his peers, seeking the next challenge. The episode with Josh Kelly serves as a curious footnote, illustrating the potential difficulties faced by a fighter whose performances speak perhaps a little too loudly.
Tristan Blackwood