Things you didn’t know about Bakhram Murtazaliev
Josh Kelly’s (17-1-1, 9 KOs) next opponent is a fearsome Russian world champion with an unbeaten record and high KO count, Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs).
It’s the Chechen’s first fight in the UK as a pro, so who is the visiting fighter from the Soviet? BBN listed a host of interesting facts about the beltholder below.
Bakhram Murtazaliev
Bakhram Sait-Khamzatovich Murtazaliev was born January 2, 1993 in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia.
Gowing up in Grozny, Murtazaliev was initially drawn to the popular wrestling scene there, but soon switched to boxing once he discovered the sport later on.
He begun boxing at the age of 13 and compiled an outstanding amateur record of 153-17, winning national tournaments and taking part in international tournaments.
His pro debut was on May 31, 2014, in Chelyabinsk, Russia, which he won on points.
He won his first six bouts in Russia, before making his U.S. debut in November 2016 on the undercard of Andre Ward vs Sergey Kovalev II at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
Bakhram won his first title – the WBC USA super-welterweight title – in October 2018.
He then won the rather obscure EBP title in November 2019. The Eurasian Boxing Parliament title is a Russian body affiliated with the IBF. Former champions include Sergey Kovalev, Umar Salamov, Maksim Vlasov, Eduard Troyanovsky.
On April 6, 2024, Murtazaliev became a world champion by defeating Jack Culcay in Germany via 11th round KO to win the vacant IBD super-welterweight belt.
He retained the title with a third-round knockout against Tim Tszyu in October 2024. That made two world title wins both by KO in the same year.
BM is managed by Egis Klimas, the same man who has looked after the careers of Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
He is the 19th champion in history to win the IBF super-welterweight belt, which has previously been by boxing legends, Fernando Vargas, Felix Trinidad, Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright. Both Charlo twins have held this title, firstly Jermall won it in 2015, then Jermell did in 2020.
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly fight predictions