Josh Kelly Gets the Fight Others Avoid as Murtazaliev Finally Returns

Bakhram Murtazaliev returns to Newcastle on Saturday, live on DAZN, with something to defend and something to recover. The IBF junior middleweight title is on the line against Josh Kelly, yet the bigger issue is time. Fifteen and a half months away from the ring leaves questions no belt answers.

The date is January 31. The venue is Newcastle Arena. The reception will not be friendly.

Why the layoff cannot be ignored

Murtazaliev last fought in October 2024, when he beat Tim Tszyu and confirmed his standing at 154 pounds. It should have opened doors. It did not. He came out of that fight dangerous, dominant, and commercially stranded. Being too tough without drawing power leaves fighters parked.

The tools remain. Pressure. Ring cutting. Commitment to shots that do damage rather than win praise. What needs proving now is timing. Long breaks dull instincts. Closing space against a mover after that much time away is not automatic.

Kelly’s plan is obvious and fragile

There is no mystery around Josh Kelly’s approach. He will move. He will feint. He will touch once and step away. Single shots only. Anything else risks collapse.

Kelly cannot trade. He cannot lean on exchanges. Against Murtazaliev, that kind of fight ends quickly. Survival depends on distance control and clean exits every round.

The problem is sustainability. Movement slows. Legs burn. The ring shrinks. Murtazaliev thrives when opponents lose half a step.

The career edge Kelly stands on

Kelly is a 2016 Olympian who has already rebuilt once. The sixth-round stoppage loss to David Avanesyan in 2021 cost him years. He clawed back carefully. At 31, that path is shorter.

“After I lost, I had put so much pressure on myself,” said Kelly, speaking to Matchroom Boxing.

“That totally changed my mindset because I thought, nobody cares. When you go home, and when it’s all said and done, when you’re retired, nobody is really going to care.

“Even if you do lose, you haven’t really lost. Win, lose, or draw – it’s not the end of the world.

“Boxing defines us, but it doesn’t define who I am. Boxing is my life, but life’s not for boxing. Life is for trying to do the best you can. And that’s what makes me a more dangerous fighter. So be careful, Bakhram [Murtazaliev]. I’m coming for you.”

Another championship loss would not end his career. This is a make-or-break assignment, whether he says it or not.

A win changes everything. The IBF belt brings leverage. Jaron Ennis has already been mentioned. Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Sebastian Fundora live in the same division.

What this fight really decides

Murtazaliev enters as the favorite. The expectation is pressure building round by round until Kelly runs out of space. Kelly needs near-perfect execution. Murtazaliev needs to show the layoff did not steal sharpness.

The undercard: Josh Padley faces Jaouad Belmehdi in a twelve-round fight for the vacant EBU super featherweight title. Padley is remembered for stepping in late against Shakur Stevenson last February in Riyadh and getting stopped. This is a reset opportunity.

The main event settles more than a defense. Murtazaliev needs momentum and visibility. Kelly needs proof he still belongs at this level. Only one leaves with answers.

Josh Kelly knows exactly what he’s up against | Matchroom Boxing

Murtazaliev vs. Kelly fight date, start time

DAZN’s coverage will begin at 7pm in the UK, with the ringwalks for Murtazaliev vs. Kelly scheduled for 9.29pm.

• Date: Saturday, January 31
• Time: 2pm ET / 11am PT / 7pm GMT
• Murtazaliev vs. Kelly main event ringwalks (approx): 4 pm ET / 11 am PT / 9 pm GMT

NEWCASTLE FIGHT CARD – Saturday, January 31: Live on DAZN

Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly
IBF World Super Welterweight Championship
12 x 3-minute rounds

Josh Padley vs Jaouad Belmehdi
EBU European Super Fetaherweight Championship
12 x 3-minute rounds

Elif Nur Turhan vs Taylah Gentzen
IBF World Lightweight Championship
10 x 2-minute rounds

Leo Atang vs Amine Boucetta
Heavyweight Contest
6 x 3-minute rounds

Josh Blenkiron vs Robbie Colman
Northern Area Lightweight Title
10 x 3-minute rounds

Lee Rogers vs Erick Omar Lopez
Super Bantamweight Contest
6 x 3-minute rounds