Bakhram Murtazaliev Returns December 12 In Russia

The return gives Murtazaliev an opportunity to begin repairing the damage from his January 31 majority decision loss to Kelly in Newcastle, England. It also came with a painful lesson about defending a world title in the challenger’s home region.

Murtazaliev allowed Kelly to box at his preferred pace without forcing enough sustained exchanges. That left the champion dependent on three judges in a building filled with support for the British challenger. The strange 10-10 score in the final round became especially important because it helped produce the majority decision.

Murtazaliev and his team sought relief from the IBF, but the result remained in place. Kelly walked away with the championship and is now being linked to a unification fight against WBA and WBO champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis.

That has to sting. Murtazaliev took the greater career risk by traveling to England, lost a close decision, and then watched Kelly move toward the type of major opportunity that once belonged to him. Murtazaliev, 32, remains a dangerous player at 154 pounds. His destructive third-round stoppage of Tim Tszyu in October 2024 showed what happens when opponents remain in punching range and trade with him. Kelly denied him that type of fight by boxing from the outside and limiting prolonged exchanges.

The identity of the December opponent will tell us how serious this comeback is. A soft homecoming bout would be understandable after 11 months away, but Murtazaliev cannot spend long rebuilding. At his age, he needs a meaningful fight in 2027 and another route toward a title.

Next time, Murtazaliev may think twice before carrying his championship into a challenger’s backyard and trusting the judges to return it.