Hearn believes Josh Kelly can beat Murtazaliev

Hearn acknowledged that Murtazaliev is not widely known outside boxing circles, but stressed that unfamiliarity should not be confused with vulnerability. He described the fight as one of the strongest world title fights staged in Britain in recent years and said Kelly had the ability to deliver.

Murtazaliev last fought in October 2024, when he stopped former champion Tim Tszyu in three rounds. The performance was decisive and one-sided, built around sustained pressure and powerful shots that gradually broke down Tszyu. Since then, Murtazaliev has not returned to the ring, a gap Hearn cited as a possible variable before the fight.

Kelly enters with 18 professional fights and has spent the last few years rebuilding following his knockout loss to David Avanesyan in 2021. He has shown improved discipline, movement and ring control since that loss, but his recent victories have come against opposition that has not replicated the type of pressure or physical threat that Murtazaliev brings.

Although Kelly is currently highly ranked by the WBO, his alternate championship runs offer limited upside potential. A potential fight with Xander Zayas would present stylistic challenges without significant financial reward, while other titleholders at junior middleweight do not offer clearer or safer opportunities. At 31, Kelly has little incentive to wait for a more favorable situation that may never arrive.

Hearn also highlighted the long-term incentives associated with risk. According to the promoter, a victory over Murtazaliev would position Kelly for a high-profile fight against Jaron Ennis, with preliminary terms already discussed. Kelly and trainer Adam Booth accepted the Murtazaliev fight with a clear understanding of the danger involved and the opportunities that could come from it.

From a strategic point of view, the fight represents a calculated gamble. Murtazaliev’s inactivity creates uncertainty, but his latest performance set a level Kelly has never reached before. The margin for error is narrow and the physical demands of sustained pressure during championship rounds remain unaddressed.

If Murtazaliev is close to his form against Tszyu, Kelly is headed for a knockout loss.