Hearn admitted that Murtazaliev is not widely known outside of boxing circles, but emphasized that unfamiliarity should not be confused with vulnerability. He described the fight as one of the strongest world title fights to be staged in Britain in recent years and said Kelly has the ability to rise to the occasion.
Murtazaliev last fought in October 2024, when he stopped former champion Tim Tszyu in three rounds. The performance was decisive and one-sided, built around sustained pressure and power shots that steadily wore down Tszyu. Since then, Murtazaliev has not returned to the ring, a gap that Hearn mentioned as a possible variable heading into the fight.
Kelly has 18 professional fights to his credit and has spent the past few years rebuilding after his knockout loss to David Avanesyan in 2021. He has shown improved discipline, movement and ring control since that loss, but his recent wins have come against opposition that hasn’t replicated the type of pressure or physical threat that Murtazaliev brings.
While Kelly is currently highly ranked by the WBO, his alternate championship routes offer limited upside. A potential fight with Xander Zayas would present stylistic challenges without significant financial reward, while other title holders at junior middleweight do not offer clearer or safer opportunities. At 31, Kelly has little incentive to wait for a more favorable situation that may never arrive.
Hearn also pointed to the long-term incentives associated with the risk. According to the promoter, a win over Murtazaliev would position Kelly for a high-profile fight against Jaron Ennis, with tentative terms already discussed. Kelly and trainer Adam Booth took on the Murtazaliev fight with a clear understanding of both the danger involved and the opportunities that could follow.
From a strategic point of view, the battle represents a calculated gamble. Murtazaliev’s inactivity creates uncertainty, but his latest performance has set a level Kelly has not matched before. The margin for error is small, and the physical demands of handling sustained pressure over championship rounds remain unanswered.
If Murtazaliev is anywhere near his form against Tszyu, Kelly is headed for a knockout loss.
