On Saturday, Josh Kelly takes his first shot at a world title against Bakhram Murtazaliev in Newcastle.
Murtazaliev puts his IBF super welterweight world title on the line against Kelly.
The Russian has had an extended spell out of the ring since his last fight in October 2024.
He beat Tim Tszyu, the son of boxing great Kostya Tszyu, in his last fight in a brutal showing.
Murtazaliev got the third round stoppage after dropping Tszyu three times in the second round and once in the third.
The 33-year-old won his world title against Jack Culcay in Germany, knocking Culcay out in the 11th round.
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Kelly, despite challenging for the title, gets home advantage and will be fighting in front of his fans in Newcastle, just a few miles from his hometown of Sunderland.
This is 31-year-old’s first shot at a world title in his nine-year career to date.
He has had a slow few years, only fighting three times since December 2023.
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Kelly featured on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois, where he outpointed Ishmael Davis, who stepped in on short notice.
‘Pretty Boy’ was last in action in July where he stopped Flavius Biea in the first round.
Credit: Dan Cooke
Kelly ended the fight with a left hook that floored Biea, who was counted out.
Murtazaliev vs Kelly – Date, Venue, Start Time and Ring Walks
- The pair will fight on Saturday January 31, live from Utilita Arena, Newcastle, United Kingdom
- Undercard bouts are set to commence 6pm local time (GMT) / 1pm ET / 10am PT / 5am AEST (Sunday)
- Main event ring walks are expected to be around 10pm local time (GMT) / 5pm ET / 2pm PT / 9am AEST (Sunday)
Murtazaliev vs Kelly – How To Watch
- The card is set to be aired live on DAZN’s standard subscription
- DAZN’s monthly subscription can be purchased from £15.99/ month
- A yearly subscription of DAZN can be purchased from £119.99/ annum
Murtazaliev vs Kelly – Last Three Fights
Murtazaliev
- Bakhram Murtazaliev bt Tim Tszyu – 3rd round TKO
- Bakhram Murtazaliev bt Jack Culcay – 11th round KO
- Bakhram Murtazaliev bt Roberto Valenzuela Jr – Unanimous Decision
Kelly
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- Josh Kelly bt Flavius Biea – 1st round KO
- Josh Kelly bt Ishmael Davis – Majority decision
- Josh Kelly bt Placido Ramirez – 3rd round KO
Undercard
Matchroom have built a strong card in Newcastle featuring IBF lightweight world champion Elif Nur Turhan.
- Josh Padley (17-1-0) vs Jaouad Belmehdi (23-2-3) – Super featherweight (12 rounds), for the vacant EBU European super featherweight title
- Elif Nur Turhan (12-0-0) vs Taylah Gentzen (8-1-0) – Lightweight (10 x 2 rounds), for the IBF world lightweight title
- Josh Blenkiron (7-0-1) vs Robbie Colman (7-0-0) – Lightweight (10 rounds)
- Leo Atang (3-0-0) vs Amine Boucetta (9-17-0) – Heavyweight (4 rounds)
- Bradley Casey (3-0-0) vs TBA – Cruiserweight (4 rounds)
- Lee Rogers (6-0-0) vs TBA – Bantamweight (rounds TBC)
- Kiaran MacDonald (debut) vs TBA – Bantamweight (rounds TBC)
