Kelly vs Murtazaliev II

When is Kelly vs Murtazaliev II?

Josh Kelly could take on Bakhram Murtazaliev in Autumn/Fall 2026 the United Kingdom.

The fight would be scheduled for 12 rounds in the Super Welterweight division, which means the weight limit would be 154 pounds (11 stone or 69.8 kg).

Kelly would be defending his IBF World Junior Middleweight Championship for the first time. He won this belt against Bakhram Murtazaliev in January 2026. He has held this belt for 6 days.

Kelly vs Murtazaliev II stats

Josh Kelly would step into the ring with a record of 18 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, 9 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Bakhram Murtazaliev would make his way to the ring with a record of 23 wins, 1 loss and 0 draws, with 17 of those wins by knockout.

The stats suggest Murtazaliev would have a large advantage in power over Kelly, boasting a 74% knockout percentage compared to Kelly's 50%.

Josh Kelly is the younger man by 2 years, at 31 years old.

Murtazaliev has a height advantage of 2 inches over Kelly. Despite this, both fighters have equal reach.

Both Josh Kelly and Bakhram Murtazaliev fight out of an orthodox stance.

Kelly is currently arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 4 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2017, 2 years and 10 months later than Murtazaliev, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He has fought 23 more professional rounds, totaling 139 compared to Murtazaliev's 116.

Josh Kelly goes into the fight ranked number 3 by the IBF at super welterweight.

Bakhram Murtazaliev is currently ranked number 5 by the WBC, 6 by the WBO, and 4 by The Ring in the 154lb division.

Kelly vs Murtazaliev II form

Kelly has won 5 of his most recent fights, stopping 2 of them, going the distance 3 times.

In his last fight, he defeated Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31, 2026, by majority decision in their IBF World Junior Middleweight championship fight at Utilita Arena, Newcastle, United Kingdom.

Prior to that, he had defeated Flavius Biea on June 6, 2025, by knockout in the 1st round at Newcastle Arena, Newcastle.

Going into that contest, he had beaten Ishmael Davis on September 21, 2024, by majority decision in their 12 round contest at Wembley Stadium, London.

Before that, he had won against Placido Ramirez on December 16, 2023, by knockout in the 3rd round at Beacon of Light, Sunderland.

He had beaten Gabriel Alberto Corzo on July 15, 2023, by unanimous decision in their 12 round contest at Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle.

Murtazaliev has beaten 4 of his last 5 opponents, stopping 3 of them, going the distance once.

In his last fight, he lost to Josh Kelly on January 31, 2026, by majority decision in their IBF World Junior Middleweight championship fight at Utilita Arena, Newcastle, United Kingdom.

Prior to that, he had defeated Tim Tszyu on October 19, 2024, by technical knockout in the 3rd round in their IBF World Junior Middleweight championship fight at Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, United States.

Going into that contest, he had won against Jack Culcay on April 6, 2024, by technical knockout in the 11th round in their IBF World Junior Middleweight championship fight at Stadthalle, Falkensee, Germany.

Before that, he had defeated Ahmad Cheikho on March 26, 2022, by technical knockout in the 1st round at Armory, Minnesota, United States.

He had beaten Khiary Gray on July 17, 2021, by unanimous decision in their 8 round contest at AT&T Center, Texas.

Activity check

In terms of recent activity, Josh Kelly has been fighting more than Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Josh Kelly last fought 6 months and 22 days ago, while Bakhram Murtazaliev's last outing was 6 months and 22 days ago.

Kelly's last 5 fights have come over a period of 3 years, 1 month and 7 days, which means he has been fighting approximately every 7 months and 14 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 40 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 8 rounds on average.

Murtazaliev's last 5 fights have come over a period of 5 years, 1 month and 5 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 1 year and 7 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 35 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 7 rounds on average.

What are the odds on Kelly vs Murtazaliev II?

Sorry, we couldn’t find any odds for Kelly vs Murtazaliev II yet. If odds are not available initially after the fight is announced, bookmakers usually release them closer to the day of the fight.