On the biggest night of his career, Josh Kelly finally delivered on the promise that has followed him for nearly a decade. The 31-year-old Sunderland native produced a composed, disciplined performance to earn a majority decision victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev, claiming the IBF junior middleweight championship live on DAZN.
The judges scored the fight 113-113, 115-111, and 114-113, reflecting a tense, momentum-shifting contest that tested Kelly’s skill, resilience, and maturity.
Winning Over Hostile Territory
Ordinarily, fighters from Sunderland don’t receive a warm welcome when they make the short trip to Newcastle. Kelly, however, was buoyed by a loud and loyal contingent that roared him on from the opening bell.