Bakhram Murtazaliev is the reigning world champion coming into this weekend’s big fight with Josh Kelly of the UK.
He isn’t that well known to those outside of boxing.
Despite being a world champion.
Bakhram Murtazaliev spoke a short time ago ahead of the big fight this weekend:
Some facts there on him for those that might not be familiar with him:
- Born January 2, 1993, in Grozny, Chechnya—amid a region famous for wrestling, but he switched to boxing.
- Started boxing at age 13 after watching Roy Jones Jr. fights on TV as a kid.
- Amassed a strong amateur record of 153 wins, 17 losses, claiming Russian, Ural, and Chechnya titles.
- Nicknamed “Murda” for his relentless, knockout-heavy pressure style (17 KOs in 23 pro wins).
- Turned pro in 2014 in Russia; made his U.S. debut in 2016 on the undercard of Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev II in Las Vegas.
- Trains and lives in California (Newbury Park/Oxnard area) under manager Egis Klimas.
- Waited years as IBF mandatory—finally won the super welterweight title in April 2024 by stopping Jack Culcay in round 11 in Germany.
- In his first defense, he dominated Tim Tszyu, dropping him four times before a 3rd-round stoppage in October 2024.
- Broke his hand a week before the Tszyu fight but still delivered one of boxing’s most brutal recent performances.
- A practicing Muslim with deep Chechen roots, he often returns home and took risks fighting abroad to climb the ranks.
Good fighter and a big stage for him this weekend.
Josh Kelly will want to upset the apple cart though.
