It's the return of of Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev Satruday night , as he defends his IBF super welterweight world title against Josh Kelly in Newcastle, England and live on DAZN worldwide.
Coming up Saturday night in Newcastle, England, it's the long awaited return of Bakhram Murtazaliev, as he defends his IBF super welterweight world title against Josh Kelly, live on DAZN worldwide.
Promoted by Matchroom Boxing the bout features the undefeated champion Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) who has been out the ring for 15 months following his statement KO over Tim Tszyu in October 2024. The 33 year old Russian pummeled the former world champion in Orlando, FL with a devastating third-round stoppage, cementing his reputation as one of the division’s most dangerous punchers. Murtazaliev had previously captured the vacant IBF title with a late TKO victory over Jack Culcay in Germany in April of that year..
Meanwhile, challenger Josh Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) has rebuilt impressively since his lone defeat to David Avanesyan, putting together a seven-fight winning streak. The 31 year old Sunderland native fought once in 2024 and once in 2025, picking up wins over Ishmael Davis and Flavius Biea. Now, Kelly gets his long-awaited shot at world championship glory on home soil in Newcastle.
Read here about WBO 154 lb. champ Xander Zayas defending also on Saturday night in Puerto Rico.
Aside from the lure of a title win in England is the possibility that the winner could face former unified welterweight champ, Jaron "Boots" Ennis. Ennis was in negotiation to fight top 154 lb. contender Vergil Ortiz. But, Ortiz and his promoter Oscar De La Hoya are in the middle of a messy public dispute that has the fighter suing him in Nevada court for trying to go back on the agreed to terms for the Ennis fight.
Some clarification came from Matchroom's Eddie Hearn Saturday night on the DAZN broadcast from in Las Vegas for the Raymond Murtalla decision win over Andy Cruz to retain his IBF lightweight crown.
Hearn said on the pre-fight show,
“There are other routes for both fighters, to be honest with you,” said Hearn. “But what we want to give the fans is one of the best fights in American boxing with two guys in their absolute prime. That's our job as a promotional company, and platform in DAZN, to deliver that fight.“
"Next week we have Kelly fighting Murtazaliev for the world title. Kelly is already signed to fight Boots. If he pulls that off — a massive victory for British boxing — you could even see Kelly fight Boots next, or maybe Murtazaliev, if he gets the win.
This would also suppose that Ortiz doesn't get the legal freedom from De La Hoya that he's currently seeking to make the Ennis fight himself.
Still, Murtazaliev is a dangerous puncher and would have appeal with his IBF strap for Ennis or Ortiz or any other contender at junior middleweight.