Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly headlines a Matchroom-promoted card on Saturday.
Murtazaliev puts his IBF super welterweight world title on the line against Kelly in Newcastle, live on DAZN.
The Russian was last in action in October 2024, over 15 months ago.
He battered Tim Tszyu over three rounds in what was a brutal outing.
Before the stoppage, Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) put the Australian down three times in the second round and once in the third before the referee stepped in.
The 33-year-old became world champion in April 2024 when he knocked out Jack Culcay in the 11th round.
He picked up the vacant IBF super welterweight title in Germany.
The Russian has an impressive 17 stoppage wins after a stellar amateur career.
He takes on Sunderland’s Kelly, who recently re-signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) has lost just once in his 19-fight career, back in 2021, where he was stopped by David Avanesyan.
Since that loss, ‘PBK’ has been flawless with seven wins, three of those coming by stoppage.
Kelly featured on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois, where he outpointed Ishmael Davis, who stepped in on short notice.
The 31-year-old was last in action in May last year, where he stopped Flavius Biea in the opening round.
Prediction: Murtazaliev will likely have too much for Kelly, who takes a massive step-up. I expect a stoppage in the mid-to-late rounds from the Russian, presumably from a left hook as Kelly closes the distance.
Josh Padley vs Jaouad Belmehdi
Doncaster’s Josh Padley returns to the ring following his last fight in October last year.
Padley (17-1, 5 KOs) got the nod in a unanimous decision win Reece Bellotti.
The 30-year-old put his name onto the world stage with a shock win over Mark Chamberlain at Wembley Stadium.
Padley was given a shot at the WBC lightweight world title on a few days’ notice against pound-for-pound star, Shakur Stevenson.
Despite being stopped in the ninth round, Padley put on a brave showing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
He fights for his first title since his world title shot last year, as he aims to win the vacant European super featherweight belt against Jaouad Belmehdi (23-2-3, 11 KOs).
Belmehdi’s first loss came to fellow Gary Cully, who stopped him in the opening round back in 2022.
The Frenchman comes off a unanimous decision defeat to Can Xu in August last year and will look to get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Padley should have too much for Belmehdi and will likely win a points decision.
Elif Turhan vs Taylah Gentzen
Elif Nur Turhan puts her IBF lightweight world title on the line in Newcastle after fighting just over a month ago in Monaco.
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She put on a real show in Monte Carlo, picking up a stoppage win over Matchroom’s Beatriz Ferreira, who she dropped in the first and fifth round ahead of a nasty stoppage.
Turhan (12-0, 8 KOs) takes on Taylah Gentzen (8-1, 3 KOs), an Australian fighter who was last in December, claiming a unanimous decision victory on the Gold Coast.
Prediction: Turhan will prove to be quick and strong and will eventually be too much for Gentzen. I expect a stoppage.
Remaining Undercard
Matchroom’s heavyweight charge Leo Atang is back in action on Saturday.
Atang (3-0, 3 KOs) should have too much for Amine Boucetta (9-17) and will likely pick up another early stoppage.
Stablemate of Atang, Bradley Casey (3-0, 1 KO) returns on the same card.
He picked up his third win since his debut in September and should pick up a fourth on points against Lee Roberts (1-3, 1 KO).
Josh Blenkiron challenges for the Northern Area lightweight title against the unbeaten Robbie Colman (7-0, 1 KO).
Blenkiron (7-0-1) should get the job done by decision.
Both Lee Rogers (6-0, 2 KOs) and debutant Kiaran MacDonald should cruise to points victories on the night against opponents still to be confirmed.
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