Josh Kelly believes the time has come for him to announce himself in boxing’s stacked junior middleweight division, starting with a title shot against IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev this Saturday in Newcastle. While much of the focus at 154lbs has centered on other names, Kelly is convinced that victory will instantly change the narrative. “When I get that belt, then they’re going to be screaming my name,” he said. “They’ll be thinking, ‘Yeah, let’s get a bit of Josh.’”
Kelly describes himself as a nightmare matchup - unpredictable, awkward, and far tougher than his reputation suggests. “My style’s horrible to fight, it’s horrible,” he explained. “I’m unpredictable… I’m just a box of tricks and it’s horrible.” He insists that beneath the flashy exterior is a fighter willing to dig deep if tactics go out the window. “I’ll get in there and I’ll stand with you and I’ll go… if that needs to be done it needs to be done.”
Now 31, Kelly feels he has finally grown into the fighter he always believed he could be. He admits that earlier in his career he lacked maturity in mindset and preparation, but says those lessons have shaped him. “I’ve been a late maturer,” Kelly said. “I think my prime’s between now and probably when I’m getting to 34, 35, 36. I’m just starting to really find the man strength these last couple of years.” Even past setbacks, including his stoppage loss to David Avanesyan, are now viewed as necessary. “God’s got certain ways of putting you in certain positions,” he reflected. “Sometimes the things you think went wrong are for bigger and better purposes.”
Many view Murtazaliev as the division’s boogeyman, but Kelly is unmoved by the champion’s aura. “This is just another fight against another guy called Bakhram,” he said. “He’s got two arms, two legs… nothing’s different to anyone else.” Kelly claims he has replayed the fight endlessly in his mind, even hearing the imagined commentary. “I can hear people saying, ‘Bakhram’s hit the floor for the first time.’ I’ve heard it too many times not to be a coincidence.”
Kelly insists everything has aligned for this moment. “I’m at the perfect age. I’m not killing myself to make weight. I’m in a perfect mindset,” he said. “Just let it take care of itself. Go on and enjoy it and it will take care of itself.” On Saturday night, Kelly believes the voices predicting Murtazaliev’s downfall may finally be heard by everyone else too.
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Image Credit: The Ring