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Sunderland's Pretty Boy Stuns: World Title Secured!
1 Feb
Summary
- Josh Kelly secured the IBF light-middleweight title in Newcastle.
- Kelly overcame a ninth-round knockdown to win the championship.
- This victory makes Kelly Sunderland's first-ever world champion.

Josh Kelly has become the IBF light-middleweight world champion following his victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev in Newcastle. This win marks a significant achievement for the Sunderland native, who is now the city's first-ever world boxing champion. Kelly's journey to the title was dramatic, as he was knocked down in the ninth round but demonstrated remarkable resilience to recover and secure the win.
The fight saw close scoring, with judges scoring it 115-111, 114-113, and a 113-113 draw. Kelly had earlier sent his opponent to the canvas in the fourth round with a powerful left hand. This eighth consecutive professional victory since his 2021 defeat to David Avanesyan elevates Kelly to sixth among current male British world boxing champions. He joins an elite group of British titleholders across various weight classes.




