It’s no secret that boxing is notorious for mismatches, but the proposed fight between Josh Kelly and IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev takes the cake in absurdity. Scheduled for September 13th on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford undercard, this potential bout has become a talking point, not for its excitement but rather for the glaring disparity between the two fighters. Kelly, with a record of 17-1-1, has showcased flashes of talent, albeit against far less formidable opponents. In contrast, Murtazaliev, standing undefeated at 23-0, is a prolific knockout artist, and the rift in skill levels suggests this match is more of a publicity stunt than a competitive clash.
UK vs. US: A Torn Fanbase
As discussions swirl around this matchup, the divide between UK and US fans has become evident. British enthusiasts rally behind Kelly, who hails from England and has Olympic experience, but American fans are left scratching their heads. Their appetite lies with a much more compelling matchup: Murtazaliev versus his IBF mandatory challenger, Erickson Lubin. It is painfully frustrating to witness a fighter like Murtazaliev, who obliterated former WBO champion Tim Tszyu, sidelined in favor of appeasing UK audiences. This predicament does little for the integrity of the sport but instead fuels discontent among fans who crave the best facing the best.
A Long Layoff and Questionable Strategy
Adding further intrigue, this potential matchup finds Murtazaliev emerging from an 11-month layoff, following an exhilarating display against Tszyu where he dominated like a lion among sheep. However, staying inactive in a rapidly evolving sport poses serious risks—most notably, the potential erosion of form and rhythm. While many assume this gap in activity may disadvantage Murtazaliev, it’s unlikely he’ll need to overcome much in a fight against a stylist like Kelly, renowned for his lack of punching power and penchant for evasion.
The Fight That Shouldn’t Happen
Kelly’s “finesse” approach, a euphemism for his deficiencies in engaging power, is bound to be ineffective against Murtazaliev’s tenacity. This bout arguably reduces the bout to a “Tom and Jerry” cartoon—endless chasing with Kelly thankfully lingering out of reach, but inevitably succumbing to a larger hunting force. Should this fight come to pass, it risks reducing the credibility of the Canelo-Crawford undercard into a spectacle unworthy of true boxing aficionados.
Boxing’s Downward Spiral
The ramifications of this proposed fight may also illustrate a broader problem within the sport itself: a troubling inclination toward promoter-led events that prioritize fan service and monetary gain over competitive integrity. Murtazaliev is a fighter with legitimate skills and a devastating arsenal, while Kelly appears to be manufacturing a storyline that does not resonate well with the overall viability of boxing. This mismatch isn’t just a fight; it’s a clear demonstration of misaligned priorities within the sport’s promotional machinery, risking its very foundation. If promoter Turki Alalshikh continues with this course of action, the industry might have to reckon with the disillusionment that arises when talent is disregarded for theatrics.
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