In the often-convoluted world of professional boxing, where blockbuster bouts are frequently announced only to vanish into thin air, the recent saga surrounding Josh Kelly and IBF Super-Welterweight Champion Bakhram Murtazaliev offers a particularly perplexing case study. Despite widespread anticipation and apparent initial discussions, Kelly’s camp emphatically states that a formal offer for the world title showdown never materialized, casting a shadow of doubt over the negotiation process.
A Contender`s Frustration: Kelly`s Perspective
Josh Kelly, known as `Pretty Boy`, is a fighter on the ascent. With a record of 17-1-1 (9 KOs), he has steadily rebuilt his career following his sole professional defeat. Recent impressive victories, including a first-round stoppage of Flavius Biea and a significant points win over Ishmael Davis, have solidified his position in the global rankings. He currently holds a leading spot with the WBO and is ranked number three by the IBF at 154 pounds. This strong standing naturally positions him for a world title challenge, making the alleged breakdown of talks with Murtazaliev all the more frustrating.
Kelly himself expressed bewilderment at the turn of events. “I saw a quote from Murtazaliev, saying to not mention his name if I’m not going to take the fight, but I’ve never had an offer,” Kelly revealed. “It’s beyond ridiculous, but people still believe this s*** when it comes out.” This sentiment highlights a common pitfall in boxing negotiations: the public perception often deviates significantly from the behind-the-scenes realities. The narrative shifted from a potential clash to a perceived avoidance, a notion Kelly`s team vehemently denies.
The Price of a Champion: A Sticking Point?
According to Kelly, the core issue wasn`t a lack of willingness to fight, but rather a financial roadblock seemingly erected by the champion`s side. “What I heard is that he wanted to [explore the UK market] and wanted £1.5m for the fight,” Kelly stated. “No English broadcaster was ever going to pay him that, so he priced himself out and then the fight was off.”
This claim, if accurate, paints a picture of a champion aiming for a premium valuation in a market that might not yet recognize his commercial pull to that extent. While Murtazaliev, with an unbeaten record of 23-0 (17 KOs), is a formidable opponent—having recently claimed the vacant IBF strap with an 11th-round finish over Jack Culcay—he may not yet command the stratospheric pay-per-view numbers associated with boxing`s global superstars like Ryan Garcia, a comparison Kelly himself drew. The irony here lies in the champions` prerogative to demand their worth, sometimes inadvertently negating the very opportunity they might ostensibly seek.
Adam Booth`s Account: No Paperwork, No Fight
Adding weight to Kelly`s assertion, his long-time manager and trainer, Adam Booth, provided a detailed account of the attempted negotiations. Booth confirmed that immediately after Kelly`s victory over Flavius Biea, he reached out to Kathy Duva, Murtazaliev`s promoter, expressing keen interest in the fight. The initial response was positive, with Duva reportedly sharing the same desire.
The proposed plan involved staging the fight in the UK, which would have granted Kelly the crucial home advantage. However, the intricacies of the boxing calendar and the IBF`s mandatory defense timelines quickly complicated matters. “Because of the IBF title, there’s a certain time frame that a voluntary defence has to take place [due to Lubin being the mandatory challenger],” Booth explained. Despite exploring the UK market for broadcast and promotional dates, Booth found “no openings.”
Further discussions then pivoted to the possibility of the fight landing on a major undercard in the US, specifically mentioning the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford event on September 13. Yet, even this promising avenue led to a dead end. “We were never made an offer,” Booth concluded emphatically. “Josh Kelly isn’t scared of Murtazaliev – he’d take that fight now – but no one’s made us an offer.”
The Road Ahead: What`s Next for Kelly and Murtazaliev?
With the voluntary defense window reportedly closed and no firm offer extended, the path for Bakhram Murtazaliev now seems clear: a mandatory defense against Erickson Lubin. This ensures the champion remains active and fulfills his obligations, even if it means moving past the potentially lucrative UK opportunity with Kelly.
For Josh Kelly, however, the situation is less clear-cut. Despite his strong rankings and undeniable talent, he finds himself without an obvious opponent for his next outing, delaying his pursuit of that elusive world title shot. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the often-frustrating reality of boxing`s business side, where the desire to fight must align with commercial viability and the timely exchange of formal paperwork. Until then, `Pretty Boy` Josh Kelly remains poised, waiting for a genuine offer to transform potential into pugilistic reality.
Tristan Blackwood