Sources: Tim Tszyu-Bakhram Murtazaliev IBF Title Tilt Expected To Kick Off PBC on Prime “Free” Cards

Tim Tszyu is becoming the Rickey Henderson of the PBC platform. Sources tell Brunch Boxing that Tim Tszyu is batting leadoff for PBC on Prime again, with his next fight expected to headline the first “free” card of the PBC on Prime deal. Tszyu headlined the inaugural PBC on Prime card with a pay-per-view bout against Sebastian Fundora. The bloody, violent encounter ended in a split decision loss for Tszyu, ending his reign as WBO junior middleweight champion.

This time, Tszyu takes on IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev after the IBF ordered Murtazaliev to defend his title against the mandatory, Tszyu. Tszyu looks to become a two-time junior middleweight champion. The IBF had originally ordered Tszyu to face Erickson Lubin in a final eliminator to determine the mandatory. Lubin declined the bout, citing an undisclosed hand injury.

The date and location of the bout are to be determined. Tszyu’s promoter, No Limit Boxing, had announced in July that Tszyu would return to the ring at home in Australia on September 22. It’s unclear if that date and location will be salvageable in the wake of the IBF order. Not that it would matter to Tszyu. He was quoted as saying, “Of course, I’d love the world title to be in Australia and to be fighting in front of home fans, but look it doesn’t bother me, I’ll fight anywhere.”

Negotiations have been ongoing between the two teams, and both fighters have been in training camp for two weeks. Teams have until September 5 to reach an agreement before the bout goes to purse bid.