Hassan Azim returned to the ring with authority on 31 January 2026, halting Sean Murray in the fifth round at the Copper Box Arena in London and reminding everyone in attendance that his reputation for concussive finishing power is well earned.

Fighting at light-middleweight, both men came in close to the 154lb limit, with Azim looking sharp despite a lengthy spell of frustration outside the ropes. It had been almost a year since he last boxed, a period marked by cancelled bouts and stalled momentum, but there was little sign of rust once the opening bell sounded.

From the first round, Azim established himself as the sharper operator. He controlled the centre of the ring, firing straight shots down the middle and using quick footwork to create angles. Murray, to his credit, did not arrive to make up the numbers. The Irishman pressed forward, trying to turn the contest into a physical exchange and testing Azim’s resolve with steady output.

The second and third rounds were competitive, with Murray enjoying moments of success as he pushed Azim back and landed solid shots of his own. However, the cleaner, more telling work consistently came from Azim, whose right hand repeatedly split the guard. His speed advantage was clear, and when he let combinations flow, Murray was forced onto the defensive.

As the fight moved into the fourth, the tide began to turn decisively. Azim started investing heavily to the body, digging hooks into the ribs and taking the sting out of Murray’s forward march. The tempo remained high, but Murray’s movement slowed just enough for Azim to capitalise.

The end came in the fifth round. A sustained spell of pressure from Azim saw Murray backed towards the ropes, where a series of crisp uppercuts and hooks snapped his head back and left him struggling to respond. With Murray no longer able to defend himself intelligently, the referee stepped in at 2:52 of the round to bring the contest to a halt, awarding Azim a well-deserved technical knockout victory.

It was a statement performance from the undefeated prospect, who had clearly been eager to make up for lost time. The stoppage was particularly impressive given Murray’s durability and willingness to trade throughout the bout.

This win builds neatly on Azim’s previous outing, when he boxed at Wembley Arena in February 2025 and collected a points victory over Jensen Irving in a four-round contest. That night was about ring time and control; this time, it was about dominance and finishing instincts.

For those ringside, it was an absorbing clash that showcased ambition from both corners, but ultimately highlighted the difference in class when it mattered most. Hassan Azim’s blend of speed, accuracy and power proved too much for Sean Murray, bringing a compelling contest to an emphatic conclusion and marking a successful return to action for the Londoner.

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Bakhram Murtazaliev announced himself as the undisputed force at super-welterweight with a devastating third-round stoppage of Tim Tszyu at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida, retaining his IBF light middleweight crown in emphatic style.

The unbeaten champion from Glendale, California, by way of Grozny, Russia, was simply relentless from the opening bell, outworking and outpowering a challenger who never found an answer to the Russian-born fighter’s combination work. Murtazaliev, entering the bout as a considerable underdog despite holding the title, silenced any doubters with a display of clinical ferocity that will have the division sitting up and taking notice.

The fight turned decisively in the second round. Tszyu, who had been applying his customary forward pressure, left himself exposed whilst attempting a body attack, and Murtazaliev punished him immediately with a sharp counter left hook that deposited the Australian to the canvas. The Sydney native showed the tenacity that has earned him considerable admiration throughout his career by hauling himself upright, but the champion was far from finished. Two further knockdowns followed in the same round, the final one landing just before the bell — sending Tszyu stumbling to his corner in serious trouble.

Murtazaliev had entered this contest on the back of a significant achievement — winning the IBF title on the road in Germany, a victory that demonstrated both his quality and his willingness to travel for the big occasion. Against Tszyu, he showed the full range of what makes him such a difficult proposition: a high punch output, deceptive power, and the composure to pick his moments with precision.

Round three offered no respite for the challenger. Murtazaliev again timed Tszyu’s forward lunge to perfection, landing a fourth knockdown via another left hand counter midway through the stanza. Though Tszyu’s fighting spirit remained intact — he rose each time and attempted to re-engage — the accumulated punishment had taken its toll. At one minute and fifty-five seconds of the round, the corner made the decision to protect their man, tossing in the towel and bringing referee Christopher Young’s intervention.

Murtazaliev’s record now stands at an immaculate 23 victories from 23 contests, with 17 of those coming inside the distance. The champion was gracious in the immediate aftermath, acknowledging the mettle Tszyu had shown throughout a punishing evening’s work.

Tszyu, for his part, was admirably forthright. The former WBO champion — who had suffered a points reversal against Sebastian Fundora earlier in the year — refused to seek shelter behind excuses, instead offering a candid assessment that the superior fighter had won on the night.

In a contest that showcased both the measured brilliance of Bakhram Murtazaliev and the indomitable spirit of Tim Tszyu, it was ultimately the champion’s precision and relentless work-rate that proved the decisive factor. The IBF light middleweight title remains around the waist of Murtazaliev, and on this evidence, it is likely to stay there for some considerable time.

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Tim Tszyu delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on 15th October 2023, retaining his WBO light middleweight title with a commanding unanimous decision victory over the durable Brian Mendoza.

Scores of 116-111, 116-112 and 117-111 told the story of a champion who, whilst unable to add to his impressive knockout tally, produced a performance of considerable merit against one of the division’s most resilient challengers.

Tszyu, fighting in front of a passionate home crowd in Queensland, improved his unblemished record to 24 wins from 24 contests with 17 stoppages. The 28-year-old had arrived at this contest on the back of a fourth-round knockout of Carlos Ocampo in June — also held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre — and came in with considerable momentum behind him.

From the opening bell, Tszyu was measured and calculated, stalking his opponent with the patience of a seasoned craftsman. The early rounds were relatively even, with Mendoza utilising sharp footwork and tidy combination work to keep the champion honest. The American challenger, whose remarkable upset stoppage of Sebastian Fundora had earned him this title opportunity, demonstrated early on that he was far from overawed by the occasion or the hostile atmosphere.

However, from the fifth round onwards, Tszyu began to impose himself with increasing authority. A crisp left uppercut followed by a left hook left a vivid bruise forming beneath Mendoza’s right eye, a telling sign of the punishment being absorbed. By the seventh, Tszyu’s right hand had become an almost unstoppable weapon — a chopping blow midway through the round rattled Mendoza’s head back sharply, before a follow-up right hand forced the challenger to hold on desperately.

The closing stages of the eighth brought one of the most dramatic moments of the contest, when Tszyu connected with a thunderous right hand in the final half-minute of the round. Somehow, remarkably, Mendoza absorbed the blow and remained upright. His granite chin and extraordinary powers of resistance were the defining feature of his performance, even if the scorecards ultimately told a one-sided tale.

The tenth and eleventh rounds saw Tszyu press home his advantage with relentless intent, pursuing Mendoza from corner to corner with a succession of heavy rights and punishing combinations. The ringside physician was called to examine cuts around Mendoza’s eyes before the final round commenced, though the fight was allowed to continue. CompuBox statistics underlined Tszyu’s dominance — the champion connected with 38% of his power punches compared to Mendoza’s 31.6%, landing 98 power shots to his opponent’s 71.

The final round saw Mendoza show admirable heart, boxing tidily at range, but it was nothing more than a courageous rearguard action. When the final bell sounded, there was little doubt about the verdict.

In a sport built on respect earned through shared sacrifice, it is fitting to acknowledge both men properly. Tim Tszyu was a class above on the night, whilst Brian Mendoza — who had never previously been stopped as a professional — gave every ounce he possessed. Both Tim Tszyu and Brian Mendoza leave the Gold Coast with their reputations enhanced, though it is the Australian who departs still wearing championship gold.

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Gold Coast fight fans barely had time to settle into their seats before Tim Tszyu turned the lights out on Carlos Ocampo in a blistering display of power on June 18, 2023. In just 77 seconds of the first round, the Australian sensation successfully defended his WBO interim junior middleweight crown, extending his unbeaten ledger to 23-0 with 17 knockouts.

The opening bell rang, and Tszyu marched forward like a man with a train to catch. A sharp right hand found its mark, sending the Mexican challenger to the canvas before the crowd had even finished its first cheer. Ocampo rose on unsteady legs, but the respite was short-lived. Tszyu poured on a relentless flurry — hooks, straights, and clubbing shots — until the referee had no choice but to wave it off. The Gold Coast Convention Centre erupted, and somewhere across the Pacific, Jermell Charlo surely took notice.

This was more than a title defence; it was a warning shot to the undisputed super welterweight champion. Tszyu could have waited patiently for his mandatory crack at Charlo, who is recovering from a hand injury. Instead, he opted to stay busy and sharpen the tools, showing zero rust and maximum menace.

In March, Tszyu dismantled former world champion Tony Harrison in nine rounds — the only man to have bested Charlo. That victory was calculated and methodical. Sunday night’s was pure blitzkrieg, echoing the ruthless efficiency once displayed by his legendary father, Kostya Tszyu, who never lost to a Mexican opponent in his storied career.

Ocampo, who had fought at world level before, simply never got the chance to establish rhythm or distance. Tszyu’s timing, accuracy, and confidence were on full display. The fight may have been short, but the message was long-lasting: the Aussie is ready, willing, and more than capable of seizing all four belts when the time comes.

As the fans filed out, talk shifted immediately to the looming Charlo clash. Tszyu’s performance wasn’t just a defence — it was a declaration. In the unforgiving theatre of the sweet science, where every punch can alter a career’s trajectory, Tszyu proved he’s not just chasing history; he’s making it.

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Jamie Moore and Matthew Macklin produced one of the most punishing British title fights of the modern era when they collided for the British light-middleweight championship at the George H Carnall Leisure Centre in Davyhulme, Manchester, on 29 September 2006. What unfolded over ten exhausting rounds was a brutal domestic classic that ended with Moore retaining his belt by knockout.

From the opening bell, the contest carried the intensity of a grudge match, despite the mutual respect between the two fighters outside the ring. Macklin, unbeaten in all but one previous outing, came forward with ambition and physical strength, determined to overwhelm the champion early. Moore, older and more seasoned, adopted a calmer approach, using his southpaw stance, defensive awareness and timing to blunt the challenger’s early surges.

The opening rounds belonged largely to Macklin’s aggression. He worked tirelessly to the body, forcing Moore onto the ropes and attempting to impose a ferocious pace. Yet while the challenger’s output was high, Moore’s accuracy began to tell. Clean counters and sharp jabs repeatedly checked Macklin’s advances, gradually slowing his momentum.

As the fight wore on, the difference in championship experience became increasingly apparent. Moore absorbed pressure, conserved energy and chose his moments carefully. Macklin continued to press, but the cost of his early work rate began to show. By the middle rounds, fatigue crept in, and Moore found more openings to land telling shots through the centre.

The crowd sensed the bout shifting. Exchanges became fiercer, with both men showing courage and resilience well beyond expectation. Macklin refused to step back, even as Moore’s punches carried greater weight. Bloodied and visibly drained, the challenger continued to drive forward, but the champion’s control and composure never wavered.

The decisive moment arrived in the tenth round. After another heavy exchange, Macklin was finally overwhelmed and collapsed to the canvas. Though he attempted to rise, he was unable to continue, and the referee waved the contest off at 1:29 of the round. It was a dramatic and emotional ending to a fight that had pushed both men to their limits.

The victory allowed Moore to successfully defend his British light-middleweight title and reinforced his reputation as one of the toughest operators on the domestic scene. For Macklin, it was his second professional defeat, coming after an eight-fight winning run that included a fourth-round stoppage of Marcin Piatkowski earlier that summer. Despite the loss, his performance earned widespread respect for its bravery and determination.

In the aftermath of a gruelling war that will be remembered fondly by British boxing fans, Jamie Moore stood tall as champion, while Matthew Macklin left the ring having given everything in pursuit of the Lonsdale Belt.

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On June 16, 1983, boxing legend Roberto Duran delivered a stunning performance by defeating Davey Moore via TKO in the eighth round at Madison Square Garden, New York. This match, held on Duran’s 32nd birthday, showcased his enduring prowess in the ring, securing him the WBA World Super Welterweight Title.

From the onset, Duran, dominated the bout, aggressively targeting Moore. Duran’s tactical superiority was evident as he consistently outmanoeuvred Moore, landing precise jabs and powerful uppercuts. Early in the fight, a thumb to Moore’s right eye gradually impaired his vision, which Duran exploited relentlessly.

Moore, who had struggled to make weight, entered the ring as favourite but quickly found himself overwhelmed by Duran’s relentless assault. By the second round, Duran’s ferocious body blows began to take their toll, bloodying Moore’s nose. Despite a brief resurgence by Moore in the third and fourth rounds, Duran’s relentless pressure and strategic targeting of Moore’s injuries turned the tide back in his favour.

By the seventh round, Moore was visibly weakened, his right eye completely closed, and his face bloodied. Duran capitalized on Moore’s vulnerability, delivering a devastating right hand that sent Moore to the canvas. Although Moore managed to rise at the count of eight, the damage was evident.

In the eighth round, following a directive from his trainer, Duran delivered a final onslaught that prompted Moore’s corner to throw in the towel at 2:02, signaling the end of the match. The referee, Ernesto Magana, faced criticism for his delayed stoppage, but ultimately, Duran’s victory was indisputable.

This win marked a significant milestone for Duran, making him the seventh fighter in history to win world titles in three weight divisions. His triumph at Madison Square Garden, where he had won his first world title 11 years earlier, solidified his legacy as one of boxing’s greatest.

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