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Josh Kelly and Bakhram Murtazaliev make weight ahead of their IBF world title clash

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Image: Josh Kelly, Bakhram Murtazaliev Make Weight Ahead Of Their IBF World Title Clash

Weight was another point of certainty. Kelly described the split as familiar territory, not compromise. “I feel great at this weight… I feel at home and I feel so good. I’m ready to go now.”

The emotional core of his comments came last, rooted in his past and ambition. “I’m a council estate kid living my dream,” Kelly said before making her unconditional prediction. “I have no doubt that I will walk away with this belt tomorrow. 100 percent.”

Bakhram Murtazaliev explains why the fight with Jaron Ennis did not happen

IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev is fed up with being a fighter who is only mentioned when the cameras are already off.

Ahead of his title defense against Josh Kelly on Saturday in Newcastle, Murtazaliev addressed why the fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis never got beyond the discussion. In an interview with Gigantic Fight Weekend, the Russian champion said that the problem is not a lack of willingness, but the conditions that come to lithe before negotiations can begin.

“When they talk to the media, they say they want to fight the best,” Murtazaliev said. “When it comes to business, they are overcommitting amounts that are unattainable.”

The situation reflects a familiar pattern in the junior middleweight category. Interest is expressed publicly, but private talks are not moving forward. No fight is formally rejected, but negotiations have stalled before reaching a viable stage.

For Murtazaliev, after this cycle he defended his world title without a clear path to the most significant fights in the division. He enters Saturday’s fight as the IBF champion after stopping Tim Tszyu, but apart from Kelly’s defense, he has no confirmed opponent waiting for him.

Murtazaliev emphasized that his comments were not directed at Ennis personally, but at how major fights are often discussed. If Ennis fights for titles at 154 pounds, the IBF belt is already on the line. Murtazaliev said he was ready to move beyond protracted negotiations and move on to concrete negotiations.

Saturday’s fight remains in focus. Before any future discussions can move forward, Murtazaliev must first speak with Kelly. However, speaking out, the IBF champion clarified his position. The junior middleweight division is in order, but nothing is really happening.

Because Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s lawsuit vs. Golden Boy still hanging over things, and with Jaron Ennis talks going nowhere, champions like Murtazaliev are stuck waiting. After the biggest victory of his career, he made it clear that he had no interest in standing on the sidelines while other fights were postponed on paper.

He doesn’t ask to be mentioned after the fights. He asks for the conversation to finally start.

Weighing results

Playback order – Live on DAZN

Brad Casey 199.3 lbs / 90.40 kg vs Lee Roberts 196.3 lbs / 89.04 kg

Lee Rogers 121.3 lbs / 55.02 kg vs Erick Omar Lopez 121.2 lbs / 54.98 kg

Kiaran Macdonald 117.7 lbs / 53.39 kg vs Marius Vysniauskas 116.95 lbs / 53.05 kg

Josh Blenkiron 134.8 lbs / 61.14 kg vs Robbie Colman 134.7 lbs / 61.10 kg

Leo Atang 236 lbs / 107.05 kg vs Amine Boucetta 241.25 lbs / 109.43 kg

Elif Nur Turhan 134.55 lbs / 61.03 kg vs Taylah Gentzen 134.15 lbs / 60.85 kg

Josh Padley 129.7 lbs / 58.83 kg vs Jaouad Belmehdi 128.5 lbs / 58.29 kg

Bakhram Murtazaliev 152.2 lbs / 69.04 kg vs Josh Kelly 153.65 lbs / 69.69 kg

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Terence Crawford names one fight he would like to see against Gervonta Davis this year

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Terence Crawford names one fight he wants to see Gervonta Davis make happen this year

Terence Crawford has named an opponent he would “love to face” with Gervonta Davis in his expected return to the sport.

The former world champion hasn’t fought since March 2025, when many felt he was lucky to draw with Lamont Roach.

Nevertheless, “Tank” retained the WBA lightweight title and was scheduled to face Roach in an immediate rematch before negotiating an exhibition match with Jake Paul.

But instead of spending time with the YouTuber-turned-boxer, Davis was forced to deal with domestic violence allegations from his former partner, Courtney Rossel.

Since then The 31-year-old was recognized by the WBA as a “breaktime champion”.urged by No. 1 contender Floyd Schofield to book their fight or give him a free shot at the title.

Davis, however, has expressed greater interest in a rematch with Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz at 140 pounds, even though he passed the Mexican in 2021.

Meanwhile, Crawford has no desire to watch “Tank” fight Schofield or Cruz, but he would happily sit back and watch him clash with Shakur Stevenson.

I’m talking to Danielle Pirello“Bud” called the WBO super lightweight world champion the perfect opponent for Davis, believing their potential meeting would be one of the best fights that could be had.

“I’d like to see Shakur vs. ‘Tank’ Davis.”

Stevenson had previously called on Davis to sign a contract several times, perhaps making him increasingly doubtful whether the Baltimore player would ever sign.

Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect an immediate fight between “Tank” and Stevenson, especially after the latter’s dominant performance against Teofimo Lopez in January.

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Deontay Wilder’s opponents are leaving after Anthony Joshua’s snub

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Deontay Wilder with Andy Ruiz Jr and Moses Itauma as next fight options

Two credible opponents emerged after Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua finally fell after an eight-year battle for the fight.

As World Boxing News documents from start to finish, after nearly a decade of back-and-forth, a Wilder-Joshua fight is no longer an option.

Joshua now has bigger fish to fry in the UK in 2026 as the former two-time heavyweight champion pushes for a British superfight with Tyson Fury.

Promoter Eddie Hearn effectively ruled out Wilder as a warm-up opponent, leaving the Londoner’s next moves without the “Brown Bomber” involved.

After the summer warm-up, Fury’s double will follow and by the time Joshua is finally free, Wilder will be 42 years aged.

This causes Wilder to look elsewhere.

Deontay Wilder’s opponents

Joshua’s compatriot Moses Itauma has already called for a fight, putting himself in a risky clash with one of the best fighters in the division.

Itauma is already shunned and would be seen as a bad turn for Wilder.

However, what stands out is a potential Pay-Per-View showdown in the United States with Andy Ruiz Jr.

The two were linked to fights between 2020 and 2023, when, ironically, the Tyson Fury trilogy stalled before Ruiz’s contract situation made any agreement impossible.

As previously reported by WBN, talks on financial terms were finally broken off when the fight was already clearly decided.

The interest never went away. WBN also revealed how fan demand for the Wilder vs. Ruiz match had skyrocketed, generating millions of views as fans insisted that the fight would finally happen.

Now, after their September showdown at Allegiant Stadium, Wilder vs. Ruiz is the front-runner if either fighter is to return to the heavyweight world title hunt.

Following Joshua’s departure from the table, Wilder’s next move is under scrutiny and calls for a rematch with Derek Chisora ​​are met with an extremely lukewarm reception.

Whether he takes on an emerging name like Itauma or returns to unfinished business with Ruiz, this decision will impact how he re-enters the heavyweight scene.

The title isn’t out of the question for Wilder, but the next move has to be the right one.


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Since 2010, he has interviewed world champions, published exclusive international performances and reported on in-ring performances. His work is distributed on major platforms including Apple News. Read the full biography.

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The Errol Spence Jr vs Tim Tszyu fight will take place on July 26 in Australia

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Image: Errol Spence Fires Back at 'Washed' Claims

Rafael reported that sources indicate that the junior middleweight fight is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, July 26, in Australia, which means the U.S. broadcast will take place on Saturday evening, July 25.

If finalized, it would be Spence’s first fight since his loss to Terence Crawford in July 2023. The former welterweight champion has spent a long period out of the ring, which would also mean him moving up to junior middleweight against an opponent who is naturally bigger and more busy.

This makes it a challenging return task rather than a unthreatening tune-up. Spence will return after almost three years away overseas and will face a fighter who has already operated at a world-class level in the division. This July will mark approximately 36 months since Spence’s last fight. At the age of 36, such passivity is arduous for most people.

Tim Tszyu is also trying to maintain his standing in front of the home crowd after a recent arduous run. Still, he remains one of the stronger names at 154 and brings size, pressure and knowledge of the weight.

The schedule provides a clear commercial window for both sides, with the Australian stadium-style afternoon event morphing neatly into Saturday night on American television.

Nothing is official until the contracts are signed, but if it does happen, Spence will take the risk immediately. Many players at the end of the break ask for something more fragile. This one goes the other way.

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