'Sign the contract': Keith Thurman calls out Tim Tszyu before world title weigh-in

Tim Tszyu weighed in heavier than champion Bakhram Murtazaliev ahead of the second weigh-in for the IBF title fight on Sunday.

Tszyu's official weight was 69.6kg (153.4 lbs), while his undefeated rival was lighter at 69.3kg (152.8lbs).

Both fighters will need to hit the scales again tomorrow morning before the fight under IBF rules.

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Tszyu and Murtazaliev weighed in early in the morning before arriving at the ceremonial event at the Royal Caribe Resort, where the Aussie was approached by American Keith Thurman in front of media.

Thurman, a former unified welterweight champ is working commentary for Tszyu's bout and was supposed to fight the Aussie back in March, before an arm injury forced him to withdraw.

The fateful occurrence led Tszyu to fight Sebastian Fundora on two weeks notice, which eventually resulted in that infamous cut which saw the Sydney fighter lose his title.

While Thurman knows he's not much of a chance to get a shot at the title if Tszyu wins the belt, with mega-money fights against the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence or Jermell Charlo on offer, that didn't stop the wily American from confronting the Aussie in front of the cameras, angling for another shot.

After a brief embrace, the American asked if the clash with Murtazaliev was "Russian versus Russia" with Tszyu replying, "hybrid" with a laugh.

"You are the hybrid, that's true," Thurman laughed back

After chatting with a couple of reporters briefly, Thurman then asked, with a smile: "Tszyu you get the contract, you going to sign it? They wanna know. They asked," Thurman said referencing the media.

"We've got some unfinished business," Tszyu smiled.

"I thought so, I thought so," Thurman replied.

"See you soon then, yeah?," Tszyu said to which Thurman replied, "Yeah, man … protect yourself in there brother".

Tszyu is bidding to emulate his Hall of Fame father Kostya in becoming a two-time world champion.

Kostya has flown in from Russia to watch his son live for the first time since the 29-year-old's professional debut in Sydney in 2016.

Speaking to Main Event, Tszyu snr spoke about the camp he attended with his son in Thailand earlier this year and how his thoughts are always with his children.

"Honestly, I want to be there every time they fight. Unfortunately, it's too far away," Kostya said in an interview with Main Event Ben Damon.

"Secondly, I'm extremely busy. I have a schedule months ahead of me. At the end of the year I only have three days off."

Kostya added: "They've understood what's happened in my life and we move forward.

"I'm here for Tim. Nikita is great and able to come as well for preparation, but we're here for Tim. We're in the corner. Even though I've been living in Russia for many years now, he always knows that I'm in his corner.

"He always should know that any time he wants me to be there, I'll be there. I'll cancel everything."