Boxer Josh Kelly Wins First World Title in Newcastle

A boxer who once walked away from the sport due to anxiety has just claimed his first world championship belt in one of the most inspiring comebacks in British boxing.

Josh Kelly defeated previously unbeaten champion Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision at Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Friday night, becoming Sunderland's first ever world boxing champion. Two judges scored the bout 115-111 and 114-113 in Kelly's favor, with the third calling it a draw.

The fight showcased Kelly's trademark style: lightning-fast footwork, smart defensive movement, and perfectly timed attacks. He sent the Russian champion to the canvas in the fourth round with a stabbing left hand, then offered a cheeky wink as Murtazaliev got back up.

But the path to victory wasn't smooth. Kelly hit the canvas himself in the ninth round after absorbing a clean left hand from the knockout artist. The home crowd erupted with chants of "there's only one Josh Kelly," giving their fighter the energy to rally back strong.

Kelly went down twice more in the final rounds, though both were ruled slips by the referee. He finished the 12th round on the front foot, throwing flashy combinations that sealed the victory.

"It feels like a dream. I envisioned this," Kelly told BBC Radio 5 Live after sprinting to embrace his trainer. "I'm mentally exhausted."

Why This Inspires

The victory means even more given Kelly's journey outside the ring. The 2016 Olympian has spoken openly about battling chronic hypochondria, a condition that contributed to his only career defeat against David Avanesyan. Instead of letting anxiety end his career, Kelly sought help and worked through his mental health challenges.

Now those struggles are firmly in the past. Kelly extends his winning streak to eight fights and becomes the UK's sixth reigning male world champion, joining an elite group that includes Fabio Wardley and Nick Ball.

The 31-year-old overcame a 16-month layoff from his opponent, two knockdowns, and years of personal battles to achieve his lifelong dream. His trainer Adam Booth's advice rang true throughout: "Be patient."

Kelly proved that patience, persistence, and addressing mental health can lead to extraordinary achievements. Sunderland finally has its world champion.