Josh Kelly’s History Under Pressure Explains the Doubts

Abass Baraou’s doubts about Josh Kelly did not come from theory. They came from time spent in the ring with him.

Baraou has sparred Kelly extensively, and what he questioned was not skill but how Kelly responds once pressure becomes unavoidable. That concern has precedent. It showed clearly in Kelly’s 2021 knockout loss to David Avanesyan.

Against Avanesyan, Kelly tried to survive pressure with constant movement. For four rounds, he stayed on his toes, circling and slipping, refusing exchanges. By the fifth, the pace caught up with him. His movement slowed. He began holding. Once Avanesyan was allowed to work at close range, the fight turned quickly.

Short punches replaced long ones. Kelly’s face began to swell and bleed. By the sixth round, he looked physically spent, exhausted, and unable to reset. The resistance was gone.

Bakhram Murtazaliev presents a harsher version of the same problem. He applies pressure without needing volume and punishes fatigue with both hands. His knockout of Tim Tszyu on October 19, 2024, was not the result of a single opening. It came from sustained force and physical presence that broke Tszyu down over three rounds and four knockdowns.

Kelly has the technical skill to win rounds at range. That has never been in doubt. The question is whether he can maintain that movement for twelve rounds against a stronger puncher than Avanesyan, without lapsing into survival mode.

Murtazaliev has not fought since Tszyu, through no fault of his own. His position has stalled because few are willing to engage him. That does not make the task easier for Kelly. It makes the test more exacting.

This fight will not be decided by talent. It will be decided by how long Kelly can deny pressure before he has to face it.