A boxing matchmaker, who has worked with multiple world champions, has urged Tim Tszyu to retire to protect his health, after Bakhram Murtazaliev knocked down the Australian star in three rounds on Sunday night.
The 29-year-old has now lost back-to-back fights and there are now doubts over his next career move.
Tsyu had been defeated by Sebastian Fundora in March and returned to face Murtazaliev for the IBF super welterweight belts in Florida.
But the Australian star looked slow in the ring, and his Russian opponent dropped him three times in the second round, landing some brutal blows to Tsyu’s head.
Bravely, the Australian would continue to fight, but a hard left hand in the third round proved too much for Tszyu, who fell back to the canvas. Admirably, he would get back to his feet and continue fighting, but with Murtazaliev continuing to unleash a flurry of punches on his opponent, Tszyu’s corner would throw in the towel and concede the fight.
Questions now remain over who Tszyu should fight next, with his old rival Michael Zerafa criticizing him on social media on Sunday.
Despite that, some have called for Tszyu to hang up his gloves, including boxing matchmaker Rick Glaser.
Glaser has worked with 36 current champions, former champions and other high-ranking fighters during his career.
A boxing matchmaker urged Tim Tszyu (right) to retire following his loss on Sunday.
Bakhram Murtazaliev (right) defeated the Australian boxer in three rounds to retain his IBF super welterweight belts.
He has also notably worked for former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and has also been employed by Roy Jones and renowned promoter Don King.
But expressing his opinion on Tsyu’s defeat, Glaser wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘If I were advising #TimTszyu, I would definitely advise him to retire. It’s sad to say, but it’s absolutely a wise choice for Tim.
“I hope he makes that wise decision. His long-term health depends on it. #Australia #Boxing”
A devastated Tszyu was left stunned after what had happened in the ring after the fight.
‘What the fuck just happened?’ Tszyu said, who was in disbelief.
‘What did they hit me with? I couldn’t regroup and… I don’t know, man. Shit doesn’t go your way and you just have to pick yourself up, you know? I was positive after Fundora.’
It was a devastating second-round performance by Murtazaliev that saw him claim victory against Tszyu, with the Russian landing 32 punches to the Australian’s 17, according to Compubox.
Twenty-eight of those punches were power punches and the Russian fighter dropped Tszyu three times.
Some boxing fans on social media questioned Glaser’s calls for Tsyu to retire, with one writing: “You want everyone to retire Rick.”
The matchmaker replied: “No, only those who should not fight anymore.”
Another claimed that Tszyu needed a year to return to his best form.
Matchmaker Rick Glaser took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that Tszyu should retire now.
Discussing his point of view with several X fans, Glaser said that “Tszyu is in pieces” and was now “noticeably slower.”
A devastated Tszyu was left stunned after the fight, claiming he didn’t know what happened in the ring.
“I don’t agree, he needs a good year to recover and take one or two warm-up fights.” “He is still young and can regenerate and regain his confidence with a little time,” the X user wrote.
But Glaser replied again: “His motor skills and resistance to blows are gone.”
One fan believed Glaser’s comments came too soon, stating that Tszyu simply needed to work on her defense.
“That’s a little premature,” wrote the X user. You act like he’s taken beatings like this before. Fundora beat a blind Tim who was in the fight as much as he could. Bakhram caught him with some really good punches. Tim needs to work on defense and recover with a couple of easy touches.
But Glaser replied: ‘Michael, it has nothing to do with winning and losing, Tszyu is completely injured, he is now slow and has no resistance left against blows. Game over.’