Bakhram Murtazaliev Vs Josh Kelly Preview

By Gary Todd

Bakhram Murtazaliev v Josh Kelly
IBF Super Welterweight
Championship of the World
Newcastle Arena, England

As Josh Kelly walks to the ring, he will be walking, knowing he has done the work in the gym, and deep within he will know this could be his last chance at a world title. At thirty one years old, he will be facing arguably the most dangerous champion in the world at 154 pounds.
With 10,000 of ‘ The Toon ‘ army cheering him on, Kelly will know he is ready for the beast that is Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Josh Kelly turned professional in 2017, after representing Great Britain at welterweight in the 2016 Olympic Games, with 37 amateur contests with 12 losses. With 19 fights, including one draw to Ray Robinson in 2019 in New York at welterweight, and one stoppage loss to the experienced aggressive pressure fighter, David Avanesyan in 2021, again at welterweight, Kelly moved up to the super welterweight division in 2022, going on an unbeaten run, beating Flavius Biea, Ishmael Davis and Placido Ramirez to secure his shot against the IBF champion Murtazaliev.
Bakhram Murtazaliev started boxing as a young boy of ten years old. Wrestling and boxing, fighting was in his blood. Born in Grosny, Russia, Murtazaliev came from the people of Chechnya. A tough breed, marked in history by conflict, combat and resistance.
After 170 amateur contests with only 17 losses, the Chechen turned professional in 2014.
Fighting in Russia, his first six fights were short affairs before moving on to bigger things in America. With 23 fights and 17 wins by stopping his opponents, Murtazaliev fought under the radar, quietly dismantling and overpowering each of them. In 2019, the Spaniard, Jorge Fortea went the distance but he was punished for the full twelve rounds . Although he was moving up the rankings, frustration crept in as it seemed no one wanted to fight him, leaving him desperate and angry but inside he burned for battle.
In April 2024, he was given the chance to fight for the vacant IBF super welterweight world title. To win, he had to beat the experienced and tough boxer, Jack Culcay. The fight was held in Germany. Culcay, was a 2008 Olympian with a professional record of 33 wins and 4 losses going into the fight. He was also on an eight fight winning streak.
In the fight, Culcay boxed tremendously well but the sheer determination and pressure from Murtazaliev proved to be too much in the end, as he wore down the smaller Culcay stopping him in the eleventh round. Culcay retired from boxing shortly after.
At 33 years old , and little time to waste, It was announced that Murtazaliev would be making his first defense of his title . His opponent was the hard punching Australian former world champion, Tim Tszyu.
(As a note, I remember receiving a phone call and I was asked if I had heard of Murtazaliev and if Tszyu would have any problems with him. It was a quick conversation as I said ‘ I have followed him since the amateurs. Stay away from this guy. He will batter Tim inside 5 rounds!)
The fight was signed for October in Orlando, Florida.
In the fight, the smaller Tszyu came out throwing big punches as the Chechen walked him down, throwing his own . In the second round, as Tszyu’s punches seemed to be bouncing off Murtazaliev’s head with little to no affect, the Russian hit Tszyu with solid bludgeoning punches that both surprised and shocked the former champion, knocking him down , over and over again. As the bell rang, the writing was on the wall. Tszyu bravely came out for the third round but was hammered to the canvas and his corner ended the fight, throwing the towel in.
Murtazaliev hasn’t fought since, as the IBF champion of the world. Josh Kelly hasn’t been in the ring since June, 2025.

Here are my pros and cons for both boxers.

Kelly pros:

Speed
Footwork
Skill
His accuracy with his jab
Fighting at home

Kelly Cons:

height 5’10
Reach 72 inches
Smaller / natural welter
Drops his guard as the fight goes on.
Inactive throughout career
Has been stopped
Has been beaten.

Murtazaliev pros:

strength
Aggressive
Great jab and hook
Never goes backwards
5’11-6’0 . Bigger
Reach 74 inches
Pressure fighter. Wears opponents down.
Solid bludgeoning punches
Hungry
Hydrates to be bigger than his opponents.
Never lost or stopped

Murtazaliev cons:

open for overhand right
Takes multiple punches to land his own
Defence ( his offence is everything)
Inactive ( 15 months since Tszyu win )

The Fight

For Kelly to win, he has to box. Use the jab and counter Murtazaliev as he comes in. Use his fast hands and use his superior footwork to move away from the bludgeoning hurtful shots. Anything less than boxing great won’t be good enough.
For Murtazaliev to win, he has to basically do what he does. Parry shots, watch for the counters and overhand right. Pressure and Instil his will on the smaller man, and break him down until he drops his guard and open up to finish the fight strongly.

Murtazaliev by 8th round TKO.

Gary Todd has been involved in the sport of boxing for over 40 years. He is an international best selling author with his books. Check out his latest, ‘ Greatest ever boxing champions. Their mindset. Their Workouts and their journeys.’

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