After not being in the ring since September 2024, Josh Kelly is hunting for world title fights in the Super-Welterweight division which include current IBF champion Bakhram Murtazailev.
Josh Kelly got the better of Ishmael Davis on the undercard of Daniel Dubois v Anthony Joshua, he said in an interview with Boxing News ‘I’ve taken care of myself especially internally around things outside the ring, and says I’m ready to be back in the ring’.
He faces Romanian Flavius Biea in Newcastle on Friday as he looks to extend his 6 win streak, after his only pro loss back in 2021 against David Avanesyan, he will have to put on a strong performance to give himself a chance of the big names in the division.
What’s next for Josh Kelly?
One name he mentioned was the Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev, who holds the IBF and ranks 4th for the Ring Magazine belt which is vacant currently. After beating Tim Tszyu by TKO in October, which gave him only his second loss, the Russian’s name is starting to become more prominent in the division.
‘I feel like I’m a nightmare for him and it would be a great fight’ says Josh Kelly, who has an array of options in the division and the Murtazaliev would be the toughest fight so far.
Another name in Conor Benn was mentioned as a potential matchup as in a interview with Sky Sports he said ‘I’d probably knock Conor Benn out, he’d probably jump me and get stopped, if not totally outbox him’.
Conor Benn is still yet to decide on what he wants to do in his career, with a potential rematch with Chris Eubank looming or whether he drops back down to 154 for a world title himself.
Other potential fights for Josh Kelly in the Super Welterweight division could include Sebastian Fundora, Vergil Ortiz Jr, Israil Madrimov, Serhii Bohachuk and Yoenis Tellez, who all find themselves in world level, which is what Josh Kelly is looking to aim for.
Who do you think Kelly should face next?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
