UK Boxing
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – gigantic fight preview and predictions
The Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Josh Kelly fight will be the main event of Saturday’s gala promoted by Matchroom.
Murtazaliev puts his IBF super welterweight world title on the line against Kelly in Newcastle.
The Russian last took part in action in October 2024, over 15 months ago.
He defeated Tim Tszyu in three rounds, which was a brutal fight.
Before the break, Murtazaliev knocked down the Australian three times in the second round and once in the third before the referee stepped in.
The 33-year-old became world champion in April 2024, defeating Jack Culcay in the 11th round.
In Germany, he won the vacant IBF super welterweight title.
The Russian has an impressive 17 stoppage wins after an illustrious amateur career.
He will face Sunderland player Josh Kelly, who recently re-signed from Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Kelly has lost just once in his 19-fight career, in 2021, when he was stopped by David Avanesyan.
Since this defeat, “PBK” has been playing flawlessly, recording seven victories, including three after the break.
Kelly appeared on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois, where he faced Ishmael Davis, who quickly strengthened his position.
He overtook Davis.
The 31-year-old last appeared on the pitch in May last year. where he detained Flavius Biea in opening round.
Prediction: Murtazaliev will likely be too much for Kelly, who will take a huge step up. I expect the Russian to be stopped in the mid to slow rounds, likely with a left hook as Kelly closes the distance.
Josh Padley vs. Jaouad Belmehdi fight
Doncaster’s Josh Padley returns to the ring after his last fight in October last year.
Padley received the nod via unanimous decision in his fight against Reece Bellotti, which could have gone either way.
After his controversial last performance, he will be looking to claim a more decisive victory on Saturday.
The 30-year-old made a name for himself on the world stage with a shock victory over Mark Chamberlain at Wembley Stadium.
Chamberlain was the clear favorite to fight under the card in the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois match.
He overtook Chamberlain and engaged in another fierce fight.
Padley got his shot at the WBC lightweight world title on a few days’ notice in a fight against Shakur Stevenson.
Despite a ninth-round stoppage, Padley put in a brave performance in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
He is fighting for his first title since winning the world title last year, with his goal being to capture the vacant EUB European super featherweight belt.
Padley will face Jaouad Belmehdi, a French super featherweight.
Belmehdi’s first defeat was to fellow Matchroom fighter Gary Cully, who stopped him in the first round in 2022.
After losing by unanimous decision to Can Xu in August last year, the Frenchman will want to get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Padley should be too much for Belmehdi and will likely win by points decision.
Undercard remaining
Elif Nur Turhan puts his IBF lightweight world title on the line in Newcastle after fighting just over a month ago in Monaco.
See this post on Instagram
She put on a real show in Monte Carlo, defeating Matchroom’s Beatriz Ferreira, whom she defeated in the first and fifth rounds before a nasty break.
Turhan faces Taylah Gentzen, an Australian fighter who last fought on the same day as Turhan, December 6, 2025.
She won a unanimous decision on the Gold Coast.
Prediction: Turhan will prove to be swift and robust and will ultimately be too gigantic for Gentzen. I expect to be stopped.
Matchroom heavyweight striker Leo Atang returns to action on Saturday.
Since signing the contract, he has been on the lips of many who see him as the future star of the division.
Atang has looked great since his debut, with three wins, all of which resulted in a first-round stoppage.
Atang should be too much for Amine Boucetta and will likely stop playing prematurely again.
Atang’s stablemate at York, Bradley Casey returns on the same card.
He picked up his third win since his debut in September and should pick up his fourth win against Lee Roberts on Saturday.
Josh Blenkiron fights for the Northern Area lightweight title against undefeated Robbie Colman.
Blenkiron should get the job done at Newcastle.
Both Lee Rogers and Kiaran MacDonald should pick up wins this evening.
The post Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – Massive Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Ryan Rozicki is set to return to the ring tomorrow when he faces Chris Billam-Smith live from Bournemouth.
The Billam-Smith vs Rozicki fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Many people know “CBS” as he plans a successful homecoming run, headlining in Bournemouth for the first time since 2023.
He fights out of the Bournemouth International Center once again forced Mateusz Masternak to retire on the stool in the eighth round due to a rib injury.
Source: Boxxer
The Briton’s opponent before entering the competition remains relatively unknown, but his achievements tell the story of danger and a man who decided to tear up the script.
Rozicki boxes from Nova Scotia, Canada, and continues to train in his hometown. He spoke to professional boxing fans and revealed the biggest challenge his location poses to his boxing career.
He recently posted a video on social media highlighting one of the more unusual training methods he uses while camping in such a remote location.
See this post on Instagram
“There are no sparring partners there, no. If I want to spar, I have to travel.”
The Canadian has a devastating knockout rate of over 95%, which he added in his last outing less than three months ago.
He stopped Gerardo Mellado in the second round after dropping him twice earlier.
The 31-year-old is currently ranked number one in the WBC cruiserweight rankings.
See this post on Instagram
‘The Bruiser’ revealed his biggest inspiration growing up and how he emulates Jack Dempsey’s brutal and relentless style.
“Jack Dempsey. Brutal. Constant pressure. Damage.
“I have no interest in participating in a boxing match. I want to hurt my opponent.”
Despite such a high position in the WBC rankings, he surprisingly presented his goals for tomorrow night and the rest of his career.
Give me fights, give me large fights, pay me the most money and I will be there.
“I don’t focus on numbers, rankings, belts, anything.”
Rozicki had already tried to secure a fight with Billam-Smith.
The Canadian was ringside for his 2024 rematch victory over Richard Riakporhe at Selhurst Park and revealed what Ben Shalom told him about the pair’s fight two years ago.
“Ben said no one knows who you are and that you hit too demanding.”
While preparing to appear at Dana White’s first ever boxing gala in the UK, Rozicki also shared exactly how he sees the fight ending.
“One of my shots, from any angle, from any hand… he’ll go to sleep.”
The post “I’m not interested in belts” – Ryan Rozicki talks about the Zuffa Boxing switch appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Saturday in Sheffield, Josh Padley will defend his European super featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz for the first time.
Eddie HearnMatchroom is promoting the Padley vs Fiaz fight from Utilita Arena live on DAZN worldwide.
The pair were scheduled to fight on the undercard, but were later advanced to the main event Dalton Smith’s WBC super lightweight title defense against Albert Puello and then Galal Yafai’s clash with unified flyweight world champion Ricardo Sandoval was shelved due to injury.
Padley (18-1, 6 KO) won the vacant belt after a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi in Newcastle in January.
The 30-year-old has won three times since a ninth-round defeat to Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title on four days’ notice.
Fiaz (14-1, 2 KO) is looking to break the script here and has won two in a row since an eight-round retirement loss to mutual opponent Reece Bellotti in 2023, whom Padley defeated by unanimous decision in October.
The 26-year-old last didn’t play 11 months ago, securing a unanimous decision victory over Alex Murphy.
Nadim-Sulaimaan will fight for the title of English champion
Ibrahim Nadim defends his English super featherweight crown for the first time against Ibraheem Sulaimaan.
Nadim (16-1, 2 KO) secured the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over Numan Hussain in November, and Sulaimaan (10-0, 5 KO) became the Midlands Area champion with a sixth-round victory over Nico Ogbeide also in November.
Undercard remaining
Middleweight Aaron Bowen (7-1, 5 KO) suffered his first professional loss to Tom Cowling in November, but can get back to winning ways with a stoppage victory over Troy Coleman (15-4-1, 7 KO).
Heavyweight prospect Leo Atang (6-0, 5 KO) can remain excellent by defeating Frenchman Fouad Shaili (5-4-2, 3 KO).
See this post on Instagram
Connor Mitchell (2-0, 1 KO) can improve his undefeated record by scoring points over Jesus Carrasco (2-4-2) at featherweight, while Chris Mulanda (2-0) can do the same against Connor Goulding (6-12) in their middleweight bout.
Adam Maca (5-0, 5 KO) and Edward Hardy (6-0, 2 KO) will return to the pitch against an as yet unspecified opponent.
The post Josh Padley vs Aqib Fiaz – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Anthony Joshua won’t be leaving boxing any time soon.
Joshua returns to the ring on July 25 in Saudi Arabia against Kristian Prengi, ahead of a thrilling clash with long-time rival Tyson Fury in November.
The two-time world heavyweight champion was expected to potentially end his career after his long-awaited clash with Fury, but the 36-year-old insists he can continue for another four years, even opening the door to a potential clash with the rising 21-year-old heavyweight champion, Moses This is going to hurt.
“For me, maybe until I’m 40,” Joshua told reporters.
“It’s only been about three or four years.
“I’ll be 37 in October, so it’s only three years, it’ll go by quickly.
“Of course it will be challenging, but I definitely think I’m tough enough to do it.
“Why not, why not? I’m definitely more mature.”
“AJ” will fight for the first time since the sixth-round knockout of Jake Paul in Miami in December.
The Watford player took a break from the sport after he was involved in a devastating road accident in Nigeria 10 days later that killed two of his close friends, Latif “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami.
Joshua, who met Prenga face-to-face earlier this week, said he strongly supports parents Ayodele and Ghami.
“You’ll never get over it, but you’ll gain perspective in life,” he said BBC Sport.
“Life sometimes teaches you humility. You never know your fate.
“As a soldier, I stand powerful in defense of their parents.
See this post on Instagram
“First of all, it’s not about me.
“I think it’s crucial to put parents first at this time.
“I will have time to grieve, but I know that right now my heart and mind say that their parents are my main priority.”
See this post on Instagram
Joshua’s fight against Prenga will take place at the Jeddah Superdome.
Fury, who retired in April to defeat Arslanbek Makhmudov, is scheduled to have another warm-up fight on August 1.
The post Anthony Joshua REVEALS when he will retire from boxing appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
Who is Flora Pili? Everything you need to know about Katie Taylor’s latest opponent
“I’m not interested in belts” – Ryan Rozicki talks about changing Zuffa Boxing
Zuffa Boxing 07 debuts in the UK: Billam-Smith vs. Rozicki preview
-
Opinions & Features1 year agoPacquiao vs marquez competition: History of violence
-
MMA1 year agoDmitry Menshikov statement in the February fight
-
Results1 year agoStephen Fulton Jr. becomes world champion in two weight by means of a decision
-
Results1 year agoKeyshawn Davis Ko’s Berinchyk, when Xander Zayas moves to 21-0
-
Video1 year agoFrank Warren on Derek Chisora vs Otto Wallin – ‘I THOUGHT OTTO WOULD GIVE DEREK PROBLEMS!’
-
Analysis1 year agoRobert Garcia discusses the debate on the greatest Mexican warrior in history
-
Video1 year ago‘DEREK CHISORA RETIRE TONIGHT!’ – Anthony Yarde PLEADS for retirement after WALLIN
-
Results1 year agoLive: Catterall vs Barboza results and results card