JOSH KELLY VS. BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV WEIGH-IN, PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO, BETTING ODDS & LIVE PRELIMS
Newcastle, UK (January 27th, 2026)– Bakhram Murtazaliev, 33, (23-0, 17 Kos) vs Josh Kelly, 31, (17-1-1, 9 Kos) will take place on Saturday, 31 January at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Murtazaliev, an undefeated Russian pressure fighter, is known for his strength, chin, and relentless forward movement that wears opponents down. He has not fought since his third-round TKO win over Tim Tszyu in October 2024, raising potential questions about ring rust.
Kelly, a former Olympian, is seen as the more technically skilled boxer with superior speed and footwork. He has won seven fights in a row since his only professional defeat in 2021.
For Kelly to win, he must use his jab and movement to avoid getting drawn into a close-range brawl, a mistake that cost him in his only loss.
The consensus among boxing analysts is that Kelly has the skills to win early rounds, but Murtazaliev’s persistence and power may prove too much in the later rounds, with a potential stoppage victory for the champion predicted.
The main card is due to begin at 7 pm GMT (11 am PT / 1 pm CT / 2 pm ET), with main-event ring walks expected at 9.30 pm GMT (1.30 pm PT / 3.30 pm CT / 4.30 pm ET).
The event will stream live exclusively on DAZN in the UK and worldwide. It will be available to all subscribers, meaning there is no additional pay-per-view cost. You can purchase a DAZN subscription here, with plans starting at £15.99 per month.
JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
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 challenge at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena when he faces 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.
“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.
NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Tensions were running high as a fired-up Josh Kelly warned Bakhram Murtazaliev that his days as champion are numbered following a heated, final stare down at today’s Press Conference.
In what is the first World Title fight in a decade here in the North East of England, taking place at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena this Saturday, confident local hero Kelly says he is certain that a career-defining night awaits when he challenges for the IBF Super Welterweight crown – live on the Global Home of Boxing, DAZN.
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.
The world’s “most dangerous” female fighter, Elif Nur Turhan, meanwhile, says she is looking forward to a blockbuster night of boxing in Newcastle for Matchroom’s opening UK show of 2026. The newly crowned IBF World Lightweight Champion defends her recently acquired 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.
For all the latest news and updates, follow @matchroomboxing on social media. Scroll down to find selected quotes from today’s Press Conference and watch it back in full in the video player below.
The full fight card is expected to include the following bouts:
Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0) vs. Josh Kelly (17-1-1) – IBF World Super Welterweight Title (Main Event)
Josh Padley (17-1) vs. Jaouad Belmehdi (23-2-3) – EBU European Super Featherweight Title
Josh Blenkiron (7-0-1) vs. Robbie Colman (7-0)
Elif Nur Turhan (12-0) vs. Taylah Gentzen (8-1) – IBF World Female Lightweight Title
Leo Atang (3-0) vs. Amine Boucetta (9-17)
Josh Kelly vs. Bakhram Murtazaliev Betting Odds:
Bakhram Murtazaliev is the solid betting favorite (-295 to -450) against challenger Josh Kelly (+225 to +300) for their 154-pound bout, according to sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel. Murtazaliev is favored to win by KO/TKO (around 8/11 to -145), while a Kelly win via decision is considered his best path to victory.
NEWCASTLE FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Saturday, January 31: Live on DAZN
PRELIMS – Live on DAZN from 5pm
Brad Casey (199.3lbs) vs Lee Roberts (196.3lbs)
Cruiserweight Contest
4 x 3-minute rounds
Lee Rogers (121.3lbs) vs Erick Omar Lopez (121.2lbs)
Super Bantamweight Contest
6 x 3-minute rounds
Kiaran Macdonald (117.7lbs) vs Marius Vysniauskas (116.95lbs)
Bantamweight Contest
4 x 3-minute rounds
Josh Blenkiron (134.8lbs) vs Robbie Colman (134.7lbs)
Northern Area Lightweight Title
10 x 3-minute rounds
MAIN CARD – Live on DAZN from 7pm
Leo Atang (236lbs) vs Amine Boucetta (241.25lbs)
Heavyweight Contest
4 x 3-minute rounds
Elif Nur Turhan (134.55lbs) vs Taylah Gentzen (134.15lbs)
IBF World Lightweight Championship
10 x 2-minute rounds
Josh Padley (129.7lbs) vs Jaouad Belmehdi (128.5lbs)
EBU European Super Featherweight Championship
12 x 3-minute rounds
Bakhram Murtazaliev (152.2lbs) vs Josh Kelly (153.65lbs)
IBF World Super Welterweight Championship
12 x 3-minute rounds
SIGN UP TO PARAMOUNT+ TO WATCH UFC & BOXING EVENTS
