Bakhram Murtazaliev’s next fight appears far more immediate than his next title opportunity.
The former IBF junior middleweight champion is targeting an October return in Russia while the division’s biggest title fights continue to develop. His team is pursuing a bout against a recognizable, world-rated opponent to keep him active after his majority decision loss to Josh Kelly in January.
Although Murtazaliev remains the IBF’s mandatory challenger, there is no certainty that Kelly will still hold the title by the time that obligation comes due. The IBF granted Kelly an early mandatory defense against Caoi
