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Murtazaliev fights Kelly – not a fight he deserves

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Image: Josh Kelly Volunteers to End Turki Alalshikh's Search for a Bakhram Murtazaliev Opponent

An agreement was concluded between IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev and Josh Kelly for a fight that will take place on January 31, 2026 in England. Tuesday’s tender offer was reportedly canceled after an agreement was reached for Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing to promote the event.

Dan Rafael broke this story earlier today. #3 IBF Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KO) will have his first title fight after eight years in the professional ranks. It’s a elevated order for him as he lacks power and only has the advantage once, when he fought power puncher David Avanesyan in a sixth-round knockout loss on February 20, 2021.

Murtazalieva’s year-long wait is coming to an end

Bakhram (23-0, 17 KO) finally fought after sitting on the sidelines for a solid 12 months on October 19, 2024, after scoring a career-best third-round knockout victory over Tim Tszyu.

Russian-born Murtazaliev, 32, of Grozny, was hoping to build on his upset victory over former WBO 154-pound champion Tszyu in huge fights. Top contenders and junior middleweight champions treated him like a leper. None of them showed any interest in fighting him.

Will Kelly step down as champion?

Kelly (31) is the best player Murtazaliev’s team could have produced, and he is obviously far from the top he would prefer to fight. If Bakhram looks impressive beating Josh on January 31, 2026, perhaps some of the reluctant top fighters will show interest in fighting him if he doesn’t scare them or their promoters away.

2016 Olympian Kelly has won his last seven fights since losing to Avanesyan in 2021. However, Kelly’s opponent has been anything but sensational. Of the seven, the standout is Ishmael Davis, who has lost three of his last four fights. This shows the level of opposition Kelly has been up against since his loss to Avanesyan.

Social media predicts massacre

Fans on social media ridiculed the Murtazaliev-Kelly fight, describing it as a massacre waiting to happen. They are not giving Kelly a chance to beat Bakhram, predicting an early knockout.

Last update: 28/10/2025

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Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: I Still Think That

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Peter Fury Shares Final Thoughts on Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: "I Still Think That"

Top trainer Peter Fury has offered his expert analysis on the rematch between Daniel Dubois and Fabio Wardley, believing it is still a 50/50 fight.

Others, meanwhile, will argue that Dubois should be made a considerable favourite, based on how he was able to dismantle Wardley in their first encounter.

In order to do so, the ‘Dynamite’ puncher was compelled to climb off the canvas in rounds one and three, having been put down by blows to the top of his head.

Proceedings then became a little one-sided as Dubois, utilising his fundamentals, managed to score an 11th-round finish with his thudding jab and superior footwork.

Wardley, however, wasted little time before activating the rematch clause in their contract and, in turn, securing the chance to reclaim his WBO title at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow evening.

Many will argue that such a swift turnaround could lead to his downfall while, due to his power and toughness, others would suggest that the 31-year-old is always dangerous, no matter the opponent standing across from him.

As such, coach Fury has told Boxing King Media that, while Dubois is rightfully brimming with confidence, it would be foolish to entirely dismiss Wardley’s attributes.

“I think it’s a great heavyweight fight – Dubois has got heavy hands and a good jab as well, so it’ll be interesting.

“You’ve got to say Wardley’s got it all to do, because the confidence of Dubois will be high. And if Dubois’ super confident, he’s a problem.

“But let’s see – Wardley was able to hurt Dubois early on. I still think that fight is a 50/50 fight.”

If he emerges victorious against Wardley, then Dubois will likely be targeting a unification match with Agit Kabayel or Filip Hrgovic in 2027.

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

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Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2: Round-by-Round Live Updates and Results

Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch of a heavyweight slugfest from earlier this year, with Dubois defending the WBO heavyweight title he took from Wardley on that night.

Live coverage will kick off at 2 pm ET, and we’ll have results and updates during the four-fight, main card undercard, then live, round-by-round scoring and updates for the main event itself.

How to watch Dubois vs Wardley 2

Start time: 2:00 pm ET for main card, prelims begin at 11:00 am ET

Streaming: DAZN (Ultimate subscription or Pay-Per-View)

PPV Cost: As a standalone, one-off purchase Pay-Per-View, the price is $59.99 (or £24.99). With DAZN’s Ultimate tier, the show is included as part of your subscription.

Location: O2 Arena – London, England

Dubois vs Wardley 2 full undercard and running order

Live Stream: Dubois vs Wardley 2 Prelims

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Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance

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"Mannix and Mora Support Fabio Wardley in Quest for Vengeance"

Fabio Wardley can turn his early success against Daniel Dubois into a rematch victory if he avoids exhausting himself chasing the finish. He proved he could hurt Dubois in their first fight. The harder task is keeping control when an opponent he has dropped continues coming forward.

Wardley scored two early knockdowns before Dubois recovered and stopped him. That leaves an opening for a different result, although better pacing alone may not be enough to prevent another punishing night.

Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora both back Wardley to win again on Saturday, with Mannix choosing him by stoppage. Mora believes Wardley’s eagerness to finish Dubois helped undo his promising start.

“If he just doesn’t punch himself out, he thinks about setting up that right hand, doesn’t get right hand happy,” Mora said to DAZN Boxing.

That is the adjustment Wardley needs to make under pressure. Once Dubois survived his biggest punches, Wardley needed something beyond another loaded right hand. Working behind his jab and putting punches together would give him more ways to attack without spending everything on a single finish.

Dubois deserves credit for surviving those knockdowns and returning to his jab. Mora believes his previous defeats helped him stay composed when Wardley hurt him. Wardley now has his own experience of a fight turning against him.

“I think he’ll be smarter after this fight. I think he’ll learn some lessons,” Mannix said. “I think Wardley wins by stoppage in this fight.”

Mannix’s biggest concern is what the first beating took out of Wardley. Learning the tactical lesson does not guarantee he will absorb Dubois’ punches the same way in the rematch.

Wardley’s power gives their picks a credible foundation. He has already put Dubois down twice. To complete the job, he needs to create another opening without allowing the pursuit of a knockout to leave him exhausted and exposed again.

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Boxing247.com is an independent boxing news publication covering the sport since 2001. It provides original reporting, fight analysis, schedules, results, and informed coverage of major fighters and events worldwide, backed by more than 25 years of professional boxing journalism.

Watch Daniel Dubois vs Fabio Wardley 2 on DAZN

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