Bakhram Murtazaliev’s Title Win During Ramadan Highlights His Unwavering Faith and Determination
Bakhram Murtazaliev, a 31-year-old Russian contender, faced a monumental challenge on April 6, 2024, as he traveled to Germany to take on the country’s own Jack Culcay for the vacant IBF junior middleweight title. Undeterred by the prospect of fighting in his opponent’s backyard, Murtazaliev was faced with an even greater obstacle – navigating his training and preparation during the holy month of Ramadan.
“For me, it’s no problem to fly somewhere to fight in somebody else’s backyard,” Murtazaliev said through his translator, Daniel Bagdasarov. “What was the most difficult is, they offered me a fight during Ramadan and I had to keep fasting. So I was fasting throughout the day and I was only training at night, so I couldn’t be 100 percent myself because, again, I was fasting and my schedule was very hard.”
The sacrifices Murtazaliev made during Ramadan were grueling, as he was unable to consume food or water from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. His training regimen adapted accordingly, with sessions taking place from 9:30 p.m. to midnight, followed by a few hours of sleep before an early morning run, a brief rest, and then back to training in the evening.
Despite the exhausting schedule, Murtazaliev remained steadfast in his commitment to his faith.
“For me, number one is my faith, then my family, then my friends and then work. Boxing is my job. I was made by God and I have to live by his rules,” he explained.
Murtazaliev’s discipline and determination paid off, as he knocked out Culcay in the 11th round to claim the IBF junior middleweight title. The victory opened a new chapter for the 22-0 (16 KOs) boxer from Grozny, Russia, who now resides in Southern California.
Upon returning to Russia to visit his parents, Murtazaliev expressed his excitement and gratitude for the support he received from his homeland.
“Everybody [at home] was very excited. I live and train in the U.S. and I already have good friends in the U.S., so the only thing I miss is my parents.”
With the IBF title in his possession, Murtazaliev is now eyeing unification bouts against the likes of Errol Spence and Sebastian Fundora, two of the top names in the 154-pound division. However, he remains committed to letting his team handle the matchmaking decisions, stating, “My job is to train, stay ready, avoid injuries. If you ask me, personally, of course I want to fight the big names.”
Murtazaliev’s journey to becoming a world champion, overcoming the challenges of Ramadan, and his unwavering dedication to his faith and the sport of boxing, have cemented his place as a rising star in the world of boxing.
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