Bakhram Murtazaliev requests immediate rematch with Josh Kelly and appeals judges scores

Murtazaliev wants his belt back from Kelly

Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-1, 17 KOs) has requested an immediate rematch with Josh Kelly (18-1, 9 KOs), after he lost his IBF world super-welterweight title to the Briton last weekend, January 31.

Murtazaliev slipped to his first defeat as a pro with scores of 113-113, 113-114, 111-115.

According to Dan Rafael, Murtazaliev’s team has submitted a detailed, six-page request asking the IBF to intervene. The governing body from New Jersey are well known for not recognising rematches.

Rafael reported that the appeal focuses in on the final round and the rarity of a 10-10 score in a title fight which is required to have clear activity.

Rafael wrote on X: “NEWS: Bakhram Murtazaliev, who lost IBF 154 title by maj. dec. to Josh Kelly on Saturday in Newcastle, England, Kelly’s home area, has formally asked IBF to order an immediate rematch based on the highly unusual 10-10 scoring of rd 12 by judge Steve Gray,” adding that a different score would have preserved the champion’s title.

The 12th round started with Kelly and Murtazaliev both throwing big hooks, Kelly's left hook landed on gloves, but Murtazaliev's blisteringly quick right hook flicked Kelly's chin to the side.

Murtazaliev backed Kelly to the ropes and landed a huge right hand, causing Kelly to reach forward and hold on to his legs. Murtazaliev cornered Kelly again, but the Brit snapped his head back with sharp jab as he moved to his left. Enthused, PBK threw a big left hook, was blocked, then got back on the move again.

He rolled under a few of Murtazaliev's right hooks then they stood opposite while Murtazaliev tried to land his one-twos until they got tied up. The challenger then sidestepped from left to right and back again as he tried to wind down the clock. Whenever Murtazaliev threw, Kelly would slip and hold.

Kelly roamed around the ring with his hands down. He threw a left hook right on the midway mark and was bundled to the floor. He continued to run with his hands down and got aught with a right hand, but all the other shots missed. Murtazaliev then missed even more wildly to fall into the corner post, where Kelly took advantage of his turned opponent to land a flurry of 12 punches before stepping back to avoid a swinging left hand counter. It was an eyecatching display.

The Pretty Boy got back on his bike again and switched to southpaw stance briefly. Murtazaliev kept trying to press but either missed or got clinched until the bell sounded.

The champion was the more dominant and aggressive in the final round, but Kelly's strong jab that snapped Bakhram's head back and flurry of a dozen left and right hands really caught the eye. Murtazaliev landed a few but most of his efforts missed.

All the commentators at ringside unanimously agreed that Kelly had done enough to win.

Kelly has since called for a stadium fight with Conor Benn, but the Essex boxer is seemingly trying to book a WBA world title fight with Rolly Romero instead read more...