On Saturday (Jan 31) Sunderland, England’s Josh Kelly ripped the IBF world junior-middleweight (11st/154lbs) title from previously undefeated Russian ‘boogieman’ Bakhram Murtazaliev by twelve-round majority decision (113-113, 115-111 and 114-113).
Held in nearby Newcastle in front of over 7,000 vocal supporters and shown live and exclusive on the DAZN streaming platform Kelly had to tough it out.
In a heavily competitive fight with knockdowns for each fighter (Kelly registering one in round 4 and the defending champion round 9) it was the slick counter-punching and movement of Kelly that won the night with a late rally with a minute left in the final round, spinning off the ropes and bombarding the champion to seal the deal.
Self-confessed ‘Pretty Boy’ Kelly, a 2016 Rio Olympian for Team GB, had taken the long road back after a failure early in his career, being KO’d by David Avanesyan in a big 2021 upset. After five years of self-doubt and a well calculated re-build by Wasserman Promotions, Saturday’s victory was made even more sweet for the 31-year-old.
Now with an 18-1-1 (9 KO’s) record, Kelly’s career is soundly back on track. With respected trainer Adam Booth in his corner and the Matchroom machine behind him the future looks bright. A number of unification and big fight options are available in one of boxing’s hottest divisions.
Murtazaliev’s record dropped to 23-1 (17 KO’s) and he should re-build and is likely to remain a force with his aggression and punching power.
It was though a great night for the charismatic Kelly and his followers.
The Undisputed 