Tszyu secured the vacant WBO International Middleweight Title via a shut-out unanimous decision. The official scorecards were a mirroring 100-88 across the board, a statistical testament to a fight that the former world champion commanded from the first bell to the last.
Tszyu dominated from the start, using stiff jab. He stalked Nurja around the ring, pressing, closing the distance to land compact combinations and sharp uppercuts through the center of the guard.
Nurja proved game and tried to find a home for his own jab, but he lacked the tools to halt Tszyu’s advance or break his concentration.
By the midway point, the intensity of the assault increased. Tszyu began a systematic breakdown of Nurja’s defense, digging heavy hooks into the body and mixing in straight right hands. This investment downstairs visibly drained Nurja’s energy, making it increasingly difficult for the visitor to offer anything in the way of meaningful counter-offense.
Despite the lopsided nature of the contest, Nurja earned respect for his durability. He weathered several storms when Tszyu turned up the heat looking for a finish, showing a sturdy chin and the resolve to see the final bell. Tszyu emptied the tank at various intervals, but he ultimately settled for a professional, error-free performance over ten rounds.
This victory moves Tszyu to 27-3 with 18 KOs. For Nurja, who falls to 20-1, it serves as a tough first career loss against elite opposition. Tszyu now looks toward the horizon, having successfully cleared his head and re-established his momentum for the bigger names in the middleweight ranks.
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