Kalle Sauerland discusses the order of the IBF of Josh Kelly vs. Bakhram Murtazaliev and Kelly’s possibility to seize the stage after eight years

The promoter of Josh Kelly, Kalle Sauerland, is excited about IBF ordering the fight between Kelly (17-1-1, 9 kos) and the junior champion of Half Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 kos). Sauerland says he is now in conversations with Murtazaliev’s direction and about “How and where he could have.”

The long -awaited Kelly Shot holder

Kalle is confident that he will destroy the champion of the Ibf Murtazaliev. He is grateful that Kelly ends with a title shot after eight years in the professional ranks.

IBF orders the fight

“He is finally tidy. The IBF has ordered it. So we are in positive discussions with the other side. There are some options of how and where it could take place,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland a Boxing newsSpeaking of the struggle ordered by the 154-pound IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev to defend himself from #3 Josh Kelly.

Sauerland did not provide any suggestions where he wants to stage the struggle of Murtazaliev vs. Kelly. It may not matter. Murtzaliev has already shown that he can win the road in his last seven fights. Has not fought at home in Russia since its crash with Bruno Leonardo Romay on April 18, 2019.

Josh’s time to empower —

“Finally, Kelly’s time to seize the stage. I want to see him with the belt around the waist. I would like to become a world champion,” said Sauerland. “I fully believe that it can do it. Murtazaliev is a hard Russian. If we look at its record, travel well. He went to Germany and obtained the results against Culcay Jack. This guy is as hard as he arrives. It’s not an easy struggle.”

It is a high order for Kelly to succeed against Murtazaliev, but it has the technical skills to win. Kelly will need to avoid exchanges with Bakhram so that he has the opportunity to win. The last rival of the Russian fighter, Tim Tszyu, chose to enter the teeth of his offense directly and was destroyed by a third round technical tie on October 19, 2024.

The 2016 Kelly Olympic has won its last seven fights since losing to David Avanayan for a technical tie of the sixth round on February 20, 2021.

Kelly’s questionable opposition

Josh’s opposition in his last seven fights has not been high. This is one of the criticism of fans. Many of them believe that Kelly, 31, has been maneuver in his high ranking with IBF for the preparation of his promoters. It could be a massive shake in the Kelly system to assume the great punch to Murtazaliev after the last seven opponents has fought Josh.

The last seven Kelly opponents

– Flavius ​​Biea
– Ismael Davis
– Place Ramirez
– Gabriel Alberto Corzo
– Troy Williamson
– Lucas Brian Ariel Bastida
– Peter Kramer

“Josh has accepted Jaron’s” boots “struggle. This did not happen. Forty-eight hours later, we receive the call from the IBF that we are obligatory. All for a reason,” Sauerland said.

The IBF chose Kelly as a new compulsory after Erickson Lubin decided to accept an offer to challenge Vergil Ortiz Jr. For its interim weight title of the WBC on November 8, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Prior to this movement, the IBF had ordered Lubin and Murtazaliev to start the negotiations on July 21, 2025. After Erickson chose to face Ortiz JR, Kelly became the next mandatory IBF, as he was the best-rated contestant in the 154 ranking with his body.