Josh Kelly sends warning to Bakhram Murtazaliev: “I’m coming for you”
A philosophical Josh Kelly believes his care-free mindset makes him a very “dangerous” proposition as he approaches a career-defining North East homecoming this weekend – live on DAZN.
The 2016 Team GB Olympian is looking ahead to his first World Title shot at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena when he faces the fearsome champion Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF Super Welterweight crown.
The ‘Pretty Boy’, trained by renowned coach Adam Booth, believes it is his time to etch his name into the history books and become Britain’s sixth reigning men’s World Champion by doing what no other man has managed to do so far – defeat Murtazaliev.
The imperious Russian, now fighting out of California, USA, has 23 wins with 17 by the way of knockout on his impressive resumé – including his past two victories over the likes of Tim Tszyu and Jack Culcay – but hasn’t stepped inside the ring since October 2024.
Kelly, meanwhile, is on a seven-fight winning streak since his only career loss to date back in February 2021 when he succumbed to defeat by David Avanesyan.
And it was the soul searching that ensued which has propelled the 31-year-old Sunderland native back to his mission of ruling the Super Welterweight division – sounding a warning to rival Murtazaliev that he is ready to snatch the strap from his waist when they meet this Saturday. Sunderland has its own sporting traditions beyond the ring, and readers there who like a night at the track can find our greyhound betting tips ahead of the next meeting.
“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.”
The world’s “most dangerous” female fighter Elif Nur Turhan joins a blockbuster night of boxing in Newcastle for Matchroom’s opening UK show of 2026.
The newly crowned IBF World Lightweight Champion defends her title against Australia’s Taylah Gentzen.
In the co-main event, Josh Padley challenges Jaouad Belmehdi for the vacant EBU Super Featherweight Championship as menacing Heavyweight wonderkid Leo Atang looks ahead to his fifth professional contest, with stablemate and promising Cruiserweight prospect Brad Casey also in action.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist amateur standout and North-East native Kiaran MacDonald makes his long-awaited professional debut. Plus, rising hometown Super Bantamweight fan favourite Lee Rogers will be out to stretch his record to 7-0.
And don’t blink as we look forward to a pulsating North-East derby between Newcastle’s unbeaten Josh Blenkiron and Jarrow’s undefeated Robbie Colman for the Northern Area Lightweight title.
Fight Week Schedule
WEDNESDAY: Media Workout
Time: 1.45pm arrival for 2pm start
Venue: Everlast Gym Unit 250, Metro Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, Metrocentre, Gateshead NE11 9YG
Workout times:
14.00 – Brad Casey
14.05 – Lee Rogers
14.10 – Robbie Colman
14.15 – Josh Blenkiron
14.20 – Leo Atang
14.25 – Taylah Gentzen
14.30 – Elif Turhan
14.35 – Jouad Belmehdi
14.40 – Josh Padley
14.50 – Bakhram Murtazaliev
15.00 – Josh Kelly
THURSDAY: Press Conference
Time: 5pm start
Venue: The Glasshouse International Centre, St Mary’s Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR
FRIDAY: Official Weigh-In
Time: Fighters on scales at 1pm
Venue: The Glasshouse International Centre, St Mary’s Square, Gateshead NE8 2JR
Full Fight Card
Saturday, January 31: Live on DAZN
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly
12×3 IBF World Super Welterweight Championship
Josh Padley vs Jaouad Belmehdi
12×3 EBU European Super Featherweight Championship
Elif Nur Turhan vs Taylah Gentzen
10×2 IBF World Lightweight Championship
Leo Atang vs Amine Boucetta
6×3 Heavyweight Contest
Josh Blenkiron vs Robbie Colman
10×3 Northern Area Lightweight Title
Lee Rogers vs Erick Omar Lopez
6×3 Super Bantamweight Contest
Kiaran Macdonald vs Marius Vysniauskas
4×3 Bantamweight Contest
Brad Casey vs Lee Roberts
4×3 Cruiserweight Contest
