Sports
‘Fiercest champion on the planet’ lands fight on Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly undercard
Josh Kelly is set to challenge Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF super-welterweight world title at the end of the month and now an additional world title contest has been added to the bill – one which involves an in-form knockout artist.
Kelly was touted for the top by much of the British boxing community after representing Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympics and then impressing during the early days of his professional career. However, a devastating knockout defeat to David Avanesyan derailed his progress.
Since then, Kelly has strung together seven consecutive victories, including a British title win, to earn a first shot at world honours, where he will take on Murtazaliev on home turf.
Now, Matchroom Boxing have announced that Murtazaliev-Kelly will not be the solitary world title offering on the card, with Elif Nur Turhan set to defend her IBF lightweight crown just one month after her upset win against Beatriz Ferreira in Monaco.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has looked ahead to the clash, anticipating that Turhan will secure another win inside of the distance when tasked with Australia’s Taylah Gentzen.
“Elif must take care of business against Taylah Gentzen. I’m expecting another knockout performance to light up what is a great night of boxing on January 31 with a brilliant Murtazaliev-Kelly undercard in Newcastle.”
This contest will be the first of a new multi-fight deal with Matchroom, with Hearn hoping to deliver a unification showdown between Turhan and Caroline Dubois during that extended contract.
“Elif is the hardest female puncher, pound-for-pound, no question – in fact, she is one of the fiercest fighters on the planet today.
“I’m thrilled to have signed Elif to a new deal with Matchroom because there are many huge nights waiting for her. I think a fight with WBC World Champion, Caroline Dubois, is one of the best bouts you can make in boxing.”
Those two world title bouts are joined on the card by Josh Padley’s challenge for the European title against Jaouad Belmehdi, as well as an appearance from highly rated heavyweight prospect Leo Atang.
