Josh Kelly delivered the defining performance of his professional career on Saturday night, producing a courageous, technically brilliant display to dethrone previously unbeaten Bakhram Murtazaliev and capture the IBF super welterweight world title at Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England.
In front of a roaring home-region crowd packed with supporters from across northeast England, Kelly edged a dramatic 12-round battle by majority decision, with judges scoring the contest 113-113, 115-111, and 114-113. The result crowned Kelly as Sunderland’s first-ever world champion and added another chapter to Britain’s growing presence at the top of the boxing world.
Kelly Roars with Northeast Pride After Historic Win
Moments after the final bell, an emotional Kelly soaked in the atmosphere and paid tribute to the fans who carried him through the toughest night of his career.
Calling himself “a kid from the northeast,” the 30-year-old praised supporters from Sunderland, Newcastle, and Middlesbrough for their unwavering backing, crediting the electric crowd for helping him rise after being knocked down in the later rounds.
Kelly described the moment as history in the making, proudly declaring himself the first world champion from Sunderland and celebrating what the victory meant for the region that shaped him.
Masterful Boxing and a Crucial Knockdown
From the opening round, Kelly showcased the slick movement, sharp jab, and pinpoint counterpunching that once marked him as one of Britain’s brightest prospects. Circling the ring with confidence, he repeatedly beat the slower-moving Russian to the punch, snapping Murtazaliev’s head back with clean combinations and forcing him to reset.
The breakthrough arrived in Round 4 when Kelly timed a beautiful counter left hand that sent the champion to the canvas. Though Murtazaliev beat the count and steadied himself, the knockdown swung momentum firmly in Kelly’s favor and gave him a vital advantage on the scorecards.
While Murtazaliev attempted to impose his physical strength and pressure, Kelly’s footwork and accuracy kept him largely in control through the middle rounds. Each sharp jab and sudden pivot drew loud reactions from the crowd, which sensed a major upset was unfolding.
Round 9 Drama Shifts the Fight
Just when it appeared Kelly was cruising toward victory, the fight took a dramatic turn in Round 9. Showing the resilience of a champion, Murtazaliev landed a heavy left hook midway through the frame that floored Kelly for the first time in the contest.
The arena fell silent as Kelly rose, but he responded with remarkable composure. Despite being hurt, he used clever movement, clinching, and defensive awareness to survive the onslaught and drag himself into Round 10.
Murtazaliev pressed hard over the final three rounds, sensing the title slipping away. He walked Kelly down, throwing combinations to the body and head in a desperate attempt to overturn the deficit. But even under sustained pressure, Kelly continued to score with jabs and counters, refusing to let the challenger dominate cleanly.
When the final bell rang, both fighters raised their hands—yet the crowd already sensed the hometown hero had done enough.
A Career-Defining Night for Josh Kelly
The victory improved Kelly’s professional record to 18-1-1 with nine knockouts and capped a remarkable resurgence for the former Olympian, who had rebuilt his career after suffering a stoppage loss in 2021. Since then, Kelly has quietly assembled a run of eight straight wins, including victories over domestic rivals Troy Williamson and Ishmael Davis, positioning himself for another world-title opportunity.
Saturday’s triumph validated that comeback in spectacular fashion.
Promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing, Kelly may not have to wait long for another blockbuster assignment. Hearn revealed that Kelly had previously agreed to terms to face former unified welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis, raising the possibility of a massive unification-style showdown now that Kelly holds world gold.
If finalized, such a fight would place the new champion on the global stage and test whether his slick style can conquer one of boxing’s most feared talents.
Strong Undercard Adds to Memorable Night
The Newcastle event delivered excitement from top to bottom. On the same card, Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan successfully defended her IBF lightweight title with a split-decision win over Taylah Gentzen in a closely fought bout that kept fans guessing until the final scores were read.
Elsewhere, Josh Padley claimed a second-round knockout in his super featherweight clash, while heavyweight Leo Atang thrilled the crowd with a third-round stoppage victory. The preliminary bouts also featured competitive contests that warmed up the arena for the main-event drama.
What’s Next for the New Champion?
For now, Josh Kelly can savor a night that will be remembered across British boxing circles for years to come. From early knockdowns to late-round adversity, he displayed every quality of a world champion skill, courage, adaptability, and heart.
With the IBF belt around his waist and major fights looming on the horizon, Kelly has transformed himself from a once-stalled prospect into one of the most intriguing champions in the sport.
As the crowd spilled into the Newcastle night chanting his name, one thing was clear: the northeast has a new hero, and Josh Kelly’s world-title reign has only just begun.
