This weekend the eyes of the boxing world will be focused mainly on the clash between Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson, but the main event of the “The Ring VI” card will certainly not be the only fight worth watching. Among the most intriguing matchups on the schedule, the two super-welterweight world title bouts stand out in particular: Bakhram Murtazaliev will defend his IBF belt in Newcastle against Josh Kelly, while Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou will unify the WBO and WBA titles in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Murtazaliev vs Kelly
Bookmakers have little doubt that the main favorite to leave the Newcastle Arena with the belt around his waist is the powerful Russian fighter. A Kelly victory is priced at 3.2, odds that are certainly lower than those usually assigned to clear underdogs, but still indicative of the fact that the Englishman will need a remarkable performance to defeat the reigning champion.
Murtazaliev stunned the boxing world in October 2024, when he demolished highly regarded Australian contender Tim Tszyu in just three rounds, scoring four knockdowns. A victory so dazzling that it turned the Russian into a kind of “bogeyman” of the division, avoided by a significant number of potential challengers.
Kelly, for his part, has partially failed to live up to expectations after a brilliant early stage of his career, during which he caught the public’s attention with his footwork, reflexes and hand speed. When the going got tough, however, “Pretty Boy” did not rise to the occasion, being stopped in six rounds by the tough Armenian David Avanesyan.
Since then, Kelly has put together a seven-fight winning streak, but many fear that against such a powerful opponent as Murtazaliev, his fragility could once again prove fatal. On the other hand, it must be said that before dismantling Tszyu, the champion showed some difficulties in dealing with the constant movement of Germany’s Jack Culcay, which gives some British fans hope that Kelly could pull off a “hit-and-run” type of victory.
Zayas vs Baraou
Once again, one of the two fighters — Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas — is a clear favorite according to the bookmakers, who give him an even wider edge than that enjoyed by Murtazaliev. However, Baraou should not be underestimated, as he is a man accustomed to upsetting the odds.
In his most recent fight, the German surprised many observers by clearly outpointing undefeated Cuban puncher Yoenis Tellez, even scoring a knockdown in the final round. Moreover, Baraou is “virtually” unbeaten, as his only loss — suffered in 2020 against Jack Culcay — was widely considered unjust by most analysts.
Zayas is undoubtedly a talented fighter with great potential, especially considering that he is only 23 years old. The Puerto Rican boasts an impressive variety of punches, is able to adjust his tactical approach, and attacks effectively both head and body.
His defense has at times come under scrutiny, but in his latest bout against the tough Mexican Jorge Garcia Perez, Zayas showed maturity and composure in handling the pressure of a relentless, aggressive attacker.
Baraou will certainly give everything he has, but lacking a true “finishing punch,” he will need the perfect fight to get the nod on the road — an outcome that does not appear among the most likely.