‘AND THE NEW’ bellowed throughout the Glasshouse International Centre in Newcastle as Josh Kelly stood face-to-face with Bakhram Murtazaliev after weighing in for their IBF junior middleweight title fight.
All fighters, including the main event, weighed in successfully for the card that goes down at the Utilita Arena tomorrow night.
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Bakhram Murtazaliev (left) weighed in nearly 2lbs below the 154lb weight limitCredit: Getty
Josh Kelly insists he is in perfect condition and is ready to go for his world title fightCredit: Getty
Kelly arrives ever so slightly heavier than the champion at 153.65lbs. The Russian tipped the scales at 152.2lbs.
The 19-year-old Leo Atang, widely heralded as Matchroom’s next gem for the heavyweight division, clocked a rock solid 236lbs.
Kelly and Murtazaliev shared another intense staredown that went on for over a minute before the sounds of Lethal Bizzle’s ‘POW’ caused the north-east native to crack a smile and bust out a sly dance.
Kelly has not been shy in predicting he will win the belt via stoppage and he had some final words on stage after the weigh-in.
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He said: “I feel perfect. Everything’s took care of now. I’m going to walk away with the belt.”
Destiny awaits the big Sunderland fan after an impressive nine-year professional career with 17 wins, one loss and one draw to his name.
The card is due to get underway from 5pm tomorrow evening in Newcastle.
Full weigh-in results below:
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Josh Kelly vs Bakhram Murtazaliev – all the info
The Toon hosts two world title fights!
The North East will welcome an absolutely PACKED night of boxing this Saturday as Josh Kelly tops a massive bill at the Newcastle Arena.
Sunderland star Kelly will sell out the venue for his IBF super-welterweight title shot against unbeaten Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev.
It is a huge test for Kelly – who battered Flavius Biea with a round one KO last June – against hard-hitting Murtazaliev.
The undercard also offers plenty of intrigue, with popular Josh Padley fighting Jaouad Belmehdi fighting for a European title.
Highly-rated heavyweight prospect Leo Atang is also in action, while Elif Nur Turhan faces Taylah Gentzen for the women’s IBF lightweight title.
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Here’s everything you need to know for a big night of boxing action…
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12 rounds – IBF junior middleweight title
Bakhram Murtazaliev (Champion) – 152.2lbs
Josh Kelly – 153.65lbs
12 rounds European junior lightweight title
Josh Padley – 129.7lbs
Jaouad Belmehdi – 128.5lbs
IBF lightweight title
Elif Nur Turhan – 134.55lbs
Taylah Gentzen – 134.15lbs
Four rounds – heavyweight
Leo Atang – 236lbs
Amine Boucetta – 241.25lbs
10 rounds – Northern Area lightweight title
Josh Blenkiron – 134.8lbs
Robbie Coleman – 134.7lbs
Four rounds – bantamweight
Kiaran MacDonald 117.7lbs
Marius Vysniauskas – 116.9lbs
Four rounds – Junior featherweight
Lee Rogers – 121.3lbs
Eric Lopez – 121.2lbs
Four rounds – cruiserweights
Lee Roberts – 196.3lbs
Brad Casey – 199.3lbs
