Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly Tips: Local support won't stop hard-hitting champion
IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev will make his highly anticipated return to the ring when he defends his super welterweight title against Josh Kelly.
The Russian was last in action in October 2024, but that was a devastating win over Tim Tszyu. He is the favourite to extend his winning run to 24 fights, but Kelly will have plenty of home support.
Although he is a Sunderland native, Kelly has managed to secure a fight at the nearby Newcastle Arena and a passionate home support will look to cheer him on to his first world title.
Tip 1 – Fight to go the distance - No @ 3/5
They often say in boxing that styles make fights and Saturday's showdown between Murtazaliev and Kelly looks like it could deliver real drama.
In the home corner, Kelly is known for his slick boxing skills and movement, while Murtazaliev is an aggressive and powerful fighter.
Only six of Murtazaliev's opponents have survived the distance, with the Russian winning 17 times by stoppage. He destroyed Tszyu in devastating fashion in October 2024 and this is a fight that should finish early.
Kelly has recorded nine stoppage wins from 17 fights, but he has found a new level since his stoppage defeat to David Avanesyan in February 2021.
He has won seven fights in a row and even though Murtazaliev has never been stopped, he has never fought a fighter as skilled as Kelly.
Tip 2 – Bakhram Murtazaliev Rounds 7-12 @ 5/4
A win for Kelly would be a huge boost at this stage of his career and it would be the crowning moment in a career that has promised so much.
In his last big fight, Kelly started well before gassing against Avanesyan and history may repeat itself here.
Murtazaliev is a tough man to hurt and his no-nonsense style will force Kelly to work hard for 12 long rounds.
Kelly should have some success early on, but it is too tough to overlook the Russian who has won 23 fights on the bounce.
The home favourite will have the crowd on his side and he has the hand speed to race into an early lead. However, fitness has never been on his side and against one of the toughest men in his division, he should fall short.
A strong showing may earn him another world title shot later in the year, but this weekend he faces a man who has shown very few weaknesses in his career so far.
One potential weakness could be ring rust for Murtazaliev, who has been out of the ring for over a year. However, that layoff was down to a hand injury and promotional issues and he has never struggled at making the weight in the past.
Kelly’s best chance of victory will be to hope Murtazaliev tires down the stretch, but his fitness levels have been an Achilles heel not an asset throughout his career.
In front of a loud and noisy crowd, Kelly will have joy and may be able to surprise the champion with some early success, but Murtazaliev’s record suggests he will find a way no matter what before the final bell.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation