Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly Prediction and Betting Odds

IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev is set to defend his title against Josh Kelly. The bout will take place on 31 January at Newcastle Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Who will win the fight?

Murtazaliev

3/10

Kelly

3/1

Below is a breakdown of the odds, predictions, and an exclusive preview for the Kelly vs Murtazaliev fight.

Murtazaliev vs Kelly Betting Odds

Bookmakers are firmly backing the Russian champion, who not only boasts superior technical ability but also a clear edge in knockout power. Murtazaliev is riding strong momentum, and this shapes up as the toughest test of the Englishman’s career so far. Odds on a Murtazaliev win stand at 1/4

Murtazaliev vs Kelly Odds

Kelly will be banking on speed and reflexes, but it is hard to argue that Bakhram is inferior in either department. This fight represents a genuine step up in class for the Brit. A bet on Kelly to win is priced at 3/1

Statistics and Physical Data

Murtazaliev is 5 cm taller than Kelly, while the rest of their physical attributes are broadly similar.

Bakhram Murtazaliev

• Reigning IBF world champion. Champion of Eurasia and the United States. Boxing Champion of the Republic of Kazakhstan

• 23 fights, 23 wins, 0 losses.

Bakhram Murtazaliev to win

Bonus £30

Bet

1/4

With his victory over Tim Tszyu, Murtazaliev proved he is ready to face higher-level opposition, and that his knockout power should never be underestimated. The time has come for the next stage of his career, but first he must halt a rising British contender who will not allow Bakhram into the elite without a serious fight.

Murtazaliev is likely to deploy a brutal double jab to slow Kelly down and force him into a defensive shell. He will target the body with heavy hooks, pushing the Brit backwards and claiming control of the centre of the ring.

Expect Bakhram to throw plenty of two- and three-punch combinations, looking to break through the guard before unloading a crushing overhand. He will favour mid-range exchanges, where he can land power shots without exposing himself to Kelly’s clinch work.

Murtazaliev’s last 5 Fights

Josh Kelly

• WBO Intercontinental welterweight champion. Two-time Olympic Games participant.

• 19 fights, 17 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw.

Josh Kelly to win

Bonus £50

Bet

3/1

Kelly has the Olympic rings tattooed on his body, a fitting symbol given that his style still reflects his amateur-school foundations. That said, do not expect the Brit to shy away from exchanges or concede all the space to Murtazaliev. When required, Kelly can fully commit, even if his record does not feature many stoppages.

His key weapon will be combination work at close range, followed by quick exits to a safe distance. A sharp check hook should help him disrupt Murtazaliev’s forward pressure while also measuring range for his own attacks.

Kelly will constantly slip shots and dip low, firing unpredictable punches from angles and underneath. If he feels the exchanges becoming too intense, he will tighten up defensively, use lateral movement and rely on a compact elbow guard for protection.

Kelly’s last 5 Fights

Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly Prediction

Given the technical level of both fighters, an early knockout seems unlikely, especially with neither man keen to be caught out by a mistake. Murtazaliev will certainly look to land a few punishing overhands, but it is doubtful he will go headhunting from the opening rounds.

Bakhram is more likely to methodically break his opponent down, threading heavy crosses through the guard and whipping in powerful hooks from both sides. Kelly, in turn, will aim to avoid the most dangerous attacks and respond with sharp, fast combinations up close, which could test the champion’s composure.

Both fighters are mobile and will regularly switch distances, using the full dimensions of the ring. Neither will allow the other to fully impose their preferred style, so if a stoppage does come, it is more likely to arrive late in the contest.

Prediction: Bakhram Murtazaliev to win.

Bakhram Murtazaliev to win

Bonus £50

Bet

3/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Read more: