Tim Tszyu has been tasked to launch another Premier Boxing Champions series.

The Ring has learned that Tszyu and IBF 154-pound titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev are on course to meet Oct. 19 in Orlando, Florida. Significant progress has been made since the two were ordered to enter talks earlier this month. A deal was not yet reached, though two sources with knowledge of the discussion have acknowledged the tentative date and destination.

World Boxing News’ Alan Dawson was the first to report the development.

While there remains work to be done, Murtazaliev-Tszyu would headline the first PBC on Prime Video standalone event. The series has been exclusively pay-per-view since its March 30 launch. Tszyu (24-1, 17 knockouts) headlined the inaugural event, albeit in a losing effort. The second-generation boxer dropped a 12-round decision to Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

With the setback, Tszyu’s WBO title reign came to an end. The Ring’s No. 4-rated junior middleweight was prepared to go the final eliminator route to earn his next title shot.

A Sept. 22 date was set aside in his native Australia, with the plan to headline a PBC on Prime Video show. Erickson Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs) was the original choice in what would have been an IBF title eliminator. Lubin, No. 5 at 154, withdrew from the unannounced event due to an injury that wouldn’t heal in time to commit to the event.

There were rumors that Jesus Ramos (21-1, 17 KOs), No. 7 at 154, would land the assignment versus Tszyu. Whatever has taken place behind the scenes has not come quick enough for the IBF to remain idle.

Meanwhile, Murtazaliev (22-0, 16 KOs) has the opportunity for a high-profile first title defense. He also finds himself back on the PBC circuit—this time with a televised audience.

The unbeaten Russian won the belt on the road and in spectacular fashion. Murtazaliev knocked out Jack Culcay in the 11th round of their April 6 vacant title fight in Falkansee, Germany.

Validation came from Murtazaliev’s ridiculously long wait for a title shot. He became the mandatory in Nov. 2019, then accepted multiple step aside offers which included four consecutive non-televised bouts. His team finally stood tall last year when the IBF ordered his title shot.

It resulted in then-Ring/undisputed champion Jermell Charlo (35-2-1, 19 KOs) vacating his IBF belt. Charlo has since parted ways with all of his divisional hardware.

Tszyu previously held the WBO junior middleweight title. The second-generation boxer was upgraded to full from interim titlist last September, also a result of an awaited shot versus Charlo which never came to pass. He defended the belt in a twelve-round points win versus Brian Mendoza last Oct. 15 in Broadbeach, Australia.

The reign ended in a gory split decision defeat to Fundora, No. 3 at 154. Tszyu was due to face former welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman, who withdrew due to injury. Fundora was scheduled to appear on the undercard and agreed to fill the void atop the bill.

Tszyu jumped out to a strong opening round but suffered a cut along the top of his scalp when he collided with Fundora’s elbow. His face was a mask of blood for the duration of the fight, which he came up just short on two scorecards.

The wound was deep enough to where he wasn’t medically cleared in time to honor an Aug. 3 showdown versus Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs). The bout would have landed on the Terence Crawford-Israil Madrimov undercard at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.

Rather than a return home, Tszyu will fight for the second straight in the U.S., this time in his East Coast debut.

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