Murtazaliev handed title lifeline versus Agyarko amid Kelly plans

Bakhram Murtazaliev could earn a shot at redemption against Josh Kelly after he was ordered to face Caoimhin Agyarko in an IBF light-middleweight final eliminator.

The former was dethroned as champion by the Sunderland native in Newcastle earlier this year, bringing his reign at the summit to a close at the city's Utilita Arena.

But now, he appears poised to benefit from Agyarko's scotched bout with Brandon Adams, after the latter collapsed ahead of the pair's intended bout last weekend.

While Adams had been hopeful to rearrange his bout with the Belfast-raised fighter, the IBF has now moved to order a match against Murtazaliev instead for the shot.

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Victory could well tee up a chance for Murtazaliev to retain his crown against Kelly, albeit with several hurdles as Kelly pushes for bigger names himself across 2026.

'Pretty Boy' is seeking to secure a unification bout with WBC champion Sebastian Fundora next, with a Stadium of Light homecoming mooted as a potential destination.

Furthermore, Kelly's promoter, Matchroom Boxing supremo Eddie Hearn, has his eyes on a bout with Xander Zayas or Jaron Ennis for the winner to follow afterwards.

The latter pair will meet in their own current unified super-welterweight bout, with the WBA and WBO belts on the line for what promises to be a fascinating encounter.

Busy division sees latest twist

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

As Brandon Adams works his way back towards full fitness after last week's health scare, he looks set to miss out on the latest super-welterweight shuffle.

News that Bakhram Murtazaliev is back on the table as a contender will put plenty of other pros - seasoned and fresh - on notice over the coming weeks.

But it does appear as if the path for either him or Caoimhin Agyarko appears to have been caught in the churn of a dream to push for an undisputed ruler.

Jaron 'Boots' Ennis will feel confident he can rubber-stamp his mark on the division with a success against Xander Zayas when the pair face off next up.

That pushes Josh Kelly towards the winner if he gets past Sebastian Fundora, further holding up the queue of contenders. It could be a busy time at 154 lbs.

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