IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and #3-ranked Josh Kelly have been ordered by the sanctioning physique to start negotiations with a deadline of September nineteenth earlier than a handbag bid is ordered.
IBF Orders Murtazaliev vs Kelly
Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) handed on a suggestion to face Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in favor of preventing Murtazaliev for his IBF belt. It’s a tricky struggle for the 2016 Olympian, Kelly, to problem Murtazaliev as a result of he’s not an influence puncher.
The Russia-born Bakhram, 32, has been left alone by the massive names, Sebastian Fundora, and Terence Crawford since pulling off a career-best third-round knockout win over Tim Tszyu final 12 months on October nineteenth. Not one of the large fights have come Murtazaliev’s method since.
Kelly was stopped within the sixth spherical by David Avanesyan 4 years in the past at welterweight on February 20, 2021. He’s received his final seven fights since then, however not towards any large punchers. Murtazaliev is on one other degree than Avanesyan power-wise, and extra harmful with both hand.
As Murtazaliev confirmed in his final struggle, knocking out Tszyu, he can damage his opponents utilizing his left hand. Murtazaliev had injured his major weapon, his proper hand, in coaching camp, and was pressured to depend on his left for the Tszyu struggle.
Boxing insider, Fernando Sabatini, broke the information of the IBF ordering the Murtazaliev vs. Kelly negotiations to start.
Kelly’s Brave Problem at 154 lbs
Kelly, 31, is displaying a lot braveness by selecting to take this struggle with Murtazaliev quite than ready for a title shot towards WBO junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas. That’s a struggle that Kelly would doubtlessly have a greater likelihood of successful as a result of Zayas, 22, isn’t a puncher. He’s a pure boxer who strikes and holds loads.
The IBF lately ordered #1-ranked necessary Erickson Lubin and Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) on July twenty first. Lubin determined to not take the struggle and go within the path of a bout towards WBC interim 154-lb champion Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Boxing Information 24 » The IBF Mandates Negotiations for Murtazaliev vs. Kelly
Final Up to date on 08/20/2025
