Tim Tszyu says he feels blessed after securing the chance to become a two-time world boxing champion.
The International Boxing Federation has officially ordered super-welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev to defend his world title against the Australian son of a gun.
Tszyu is the highest-ranked contender with the IBF and a former WBO world champion, while the Russian is undefeated with 16 knockouts from 22 professional fights.
The 29-year-old only relinquished his WBO strap in March with a cruel loss to American Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.
Tszyu had been unbeaten and won the opening two rounds before suffering a ghastly head gash after catching Fundora's elbow and ultimately losing a split decision.
Negotiations between Tszyu's promoters No Limit Boxing and Murtazaliev’s team will now commence to set a date and location for the event.
While Murtazaliev (22-0, 16KO) is pushing for the fight to be staged in the US, Team Tszyu want the blockbuster in Australia.
Either way, Tszyu (24-1, 17 KO) can't wait for another crack to join his legendary father Kostya as a multiple world champion.
"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," he said.
"I'm blessed to be in this position again and fighting for another world title. It's amazing. It's time to become a two-time world champ."
Tszyu hopes the opportunity puts him back on the path to becoming a unified world champion after a series of disappointing setbacks.
His loss to Fundora came 14 months after Jermell Charlo pulled out of their scheduled undisputed world title showdown in Vegas.
Then he lost the opportunity for a Fundora rematch, was ruled out of a proposed world title fight with Vergil Ortiz Jnr and had Erickson Lubin knock back an IBF eliminator shot.
"Good things comes to those who wait," Tszyu said.
"(Murtazaliev) is a world champion for a reason, and in this level you’ve just got to take them all out one by one," he said.
"And they all will fall so I’m looking forward to this challenge wherever it is. It’s been a long time coming.
"The first time me and Bakrham were discussed was before the Tony Harrison fight (in 2023), straight after the Charlo withdrawal, so I knew I about him along time ago.
"I've had my eyes on him and it’s good that he’s got the title now and been mandated so he can’t be hiding anymore.
"Being a shot caller again and controlling the narrative, that’s what you get with being a world champion. It's my second opportunity to get back to where I belong and to control the narrative and to choose my shots."
Tsyzu is currently based in Las Vegas, training with UFC fighters.
"They've been so strict down there. I've become big on the one-percenters with everything to do with my life so you’ll see that on fight night," the Sydney slayer said.
""And when I come out you'll see the difference in everything between me and Bakhram."
