Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Josh Kelly Tips: Boxing Predictions & Odds
Bakhram Murtazaliev and Josh Kelly top the bill at Newcastle Arena on Saturday night, with Matchroom Boxing bringing the action live on DAZN.
The pair meet with Murtazaliev’s IBF super welterweight title on the line, as the champion makes a high-profile defence on British soil.
Murtazaliev vs Kelly Tips
Murtazaliev enters the bout unbeaten at 23-0 (17 KOs) and arrives with considerable momentum. The Russian was last in the ring in October 2024, where he dismantled Tim Tszyu, forcing a third-round stoppage in a performance that underlined his power and composure at world level.
That followed his capture of the vacant IBF crown against Jack Culcay, cementing his status as a force in the division.
Kelly, 17-1-1 (9 KOs), has rebuilt impressively since his lone defeat to David Avanesyan. The Sunderland fighter has strung together seven consecutive victories, though activity has been limited, with just one outing in 2024 and one in 2025.
Those wins came against Ishmael Davis and Flavius Biea, and he now steps up with a world title opportunity on home territory.
Who will take home the famous red belt on Saturday night?
We’ve pieced together a couple of tips for the big one in Newcastle:
Tip 1: Bakhram Murtazaliev to beat Josh Kelly via KO/TKO/DQ at 8/11 with Paddy Power
This is the most demanding assignment of Josh Kelly’s career to date.
Bakhram Murtazaliev is a physically strong, compact boxer-puncher who has, so far, offered little in the way of vulnerability. He applies pressure well, carries authority in his shots, and has passed every test put in front of him.
Kelly, by contrast, has looked sharp and assured at domestic level, with solid performances against fighters such as Ishmael Davis and Troy Williamson. However, when he previously stepped beyond that level — notably against David Avanesyan at welterweight — his limitations were exposed, even allowing for the weight difference.
The expectation is for a competitive and absorbing contest early on, but one that gradually tilts in the champion’s favour. As the rounds wear on, Murtazaliev’s strength and control are likely to tell and a stoppage looks likely for the away fighter.
Kelly is talented but the vulnerabilities he has shown in the past will linger in his head.
Tip 2: Fight to end Rounds 7-9 at 7/2 with bet365
There’s a real chance that Kelly burns bright and fast on Saturday night, cooking himself after an electric opening handful of rounds.
Buoyed by the home support, he may well hit the wall in the second half of the fight, enabling Murtazaliev to take over and dominate.
Murtazaliev hits hard — just ask the 17 fighters he has stopped inside the distance — and a couple of solid rounds for the champion could see Kelly begin to buckle.Â
