Boxing
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Josh Kelly Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
Murtazaliev vs. Kelly on DAZN - Saturday
Bakhram Murtazaliev just might be the boogeyman of the junior middleweight division.
On Saturday night, the undefeated IBF 154-pound world champion will look to launch his 2026 campaign on a solid note as he tries to defend his title against a gutsy Josh Kelly in Newcastle, England, live on DAZN.
The menacing Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) could not get an opponent to face him in 2025, resulting in a frustrating year of inactivity. He last decimated Tim Tszyu in a devastating third-round TKO back in October 2024. Meanwhile, Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) is coming off a first-round flattening of Flavius Biea in June in a bout that took just over two minutes to end.
Will Murtazaliev walk through Kelly with a statement victory to start the New Year? Or will the underdog Kelly shock the boxing world by doing enough to become the new IBF junior middleweight champion? With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both the champ and challenger.
Bakhram Murtazaliev Keys to Victory
Assert the power jab early
Bakhram Murtazaliev possesses a crisp power jab that he detonates with blunt impact.
If he can split Josh Kelly’s guard early with the shot, it will open up avenues where the champion can add more significant damage, making the jab a major key.
Plus, he has two inches of reach advantage that makes the jab that much more urgent to use.
Pour on the pressure
One of the reasons Murtazaliev is so dominant is he meets opponents’ pressure with pressure of his own, imposing his will and taking souls of the fighters who challenge him.
Kelly enjoys bringing pressure behind the jab and potshots, so Murtazaliev must confront him at the center line with walk-down pressure to force the British fighter to take the back step.
Murtazaliev’s ability to close ring real estate with smothering pressure against Kelly could mark the beginning of the end for ‘Pretty Boy’s’ vow to become the new world champion.
Time Kelly with a counterpunch in traffic
Alongside the pressure, Murtazaliev should look to time Kelly in the pocket with a sharp counterpunch. The Russian warrior did this against Tim Tszyu, answering the Australian’s left uppercut attempt with a counter left hook across the jaw that dropped Tszyu in a heap, resulting in the first of several knockdowns en route to victory.
Not only does Kelly like to throw the same punch, but the challenger has a penchant of getting a bit overzealous in the pocket at times.
If Murtazaliev senses these moments and times the right retort, it could be lights out for Kelly and another rousing title defense for the Russian.
Josh Kelly's Keys to Victory
Use the jab as a pointed weapon and distraction
Josh Kelly pokes away at opponents with a pesky, snappy jab. If he is able to find a home with the stick against Bakhram Murtazaliev, Kelly will have the onus to vary its delivery.
Not only should that jab be thrown as a pointed weapon, but it could also be utilized as a distraction punch to set up a big right hand to slash Murtazaliev to the head and across the jaw.
Set the pace with footwork and hand speed
Kelly has nimble footwork and hand speed that he must use in tandem to set up offensive opportunities, whether they be the aforementioned jabs or subsequent potshots.
The fluid footwork that often entails Kelly switching stances might also be needed for escape routes against a forward-fighting machine in Murtazaliev.
Do not get erratic in the pocket
The more Kelly is able to hit and not get hit against Murtazaliev, the better his chances will be to pull off the major upset.
However, a concern against that prospect is Kelly turning up the aggression often includes him opening up a little too wide with his output — something he cannot afford to do against a calculated counterpuncher in Murtazaliev.
Therefore, Kelly must be conscious in the pocket with the Russian. If he’s not, the scenario of him shocking Murtazaliev looks bleak.
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