A boxing matchmaker, who has worked with multiple world Champions, has urged Tim Tszyu to retire in order to protect his health, after the Australian star was demolished over three rounds by Bakhram Murtazaliev on Sunday night.

The 29-year-old fighter has now lost back-to-back fights with questions now hanging over his next career move.

Tsyu had been beaten by Sebastian Fundora in March and returned to face off against Murtazaliev for the IBF super welterweight belts in Florida.

But the Aussie star looked sluggish in the ring, with his Russian opponent knocking him down three times in the second round, connecting some brutal blows to Tsyu’s head.

Gallantly, the Australian would continue to fight, but a strong left hand in the third round proved too much for Tszyu, who fell to the canvas again. Admirably, he’d return to his feet and continue to fight, but with Murtazaliev continuing to unload a flurry of strikes on his opponent, Tszyu’s corner would throw in the towel, conceding the fight.

Questions now remain over who Tszyu should fight next, with his long-standing rival Michael Zerafa calling him out on social media on Sunday.

Despite that, some have called for Tszyu to hang up the gloves, including boxing matchmaker Rick Glaser.

Glaser has worked with 36 current champions, ex-champions and other top-rank fighters during his career.

He has also notably worked for former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and has also been employed by Roy Jones and renowned promoter Don King.

But issuing his view on Tsyu’s defeat, Glaser wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘If I was advising #TimTszyu I would definitely advise him to retire. Sad to say but it’s absolutely the wise choice for Tim.

‘Hopefully, he makes that wise decision. His long-term health depends on it. #Australia #Boxing’

A devastated Tszyu was left stunned after what had transpired in the ring following the bout.

‘What the f*** just happened?’ Tszyu, who was in disbelief, said.

‘What did I get hit with? Couldn’t regroup and… I don’t know man. S*** doesn’t go your way and you just have to bounce back you know. I was positive after Fundora.’

It was a devastating second-round performance from Murtazaliev that saw him claim victory against Tszyu, with the Russian landing 32 punches to the Australian’s 17, according to Compubox.

Twenty-eight of those strikes were power punches with the Russian fighter knocking Tszyu to the ground three times.

Some boxing fans on social media questioned Glaser’s calls for Tsyu to retire, with one writing: ‘You want everybody to retire Rick.’

The matchmaker responded: ‘No, only those that shouldn’t be fighting any longer.’

Another claimed that Tszyu needed a year to get back to his best form.

‘I disagree, he needs a good year to recover and take a tune-up fight or two. He’s still young and he can regenerate and get his confidence back with a bit of time,’ the X user wrote.

But Glaser again responded: ‘His motor skills and punch resistance are gone.’

One fan believed Glaser’s comments came a little too early, claiming that Tszyu simply needed to work on his defence.

‘That’s a little premature,’ the X user wrote. ‘You act like he’s taken huge beatings like this before. Fundora beat a blind Tim who was in the fight as much as he could. Bakhram caught him with some really good punches. Tim needs to work on defence and bounce back with a couple of easy touches.’

But Glaser responded: ‘Michael, it has nothing to do with winning & losing, Tszyu is completely shot, he’s now slow and has no punch resistance left. Game over.’