The fight itself was tense and uneven, however it was also purposeful. Kelly relied on movement, timing, and control to remove Murtazaliev’s strengths. It wasn’t pretty for long stretches, yet it was effective. By the ultimate bell, Kelly had done enough to justify the scores and walk away with the title. What followed has been more revealing than the fight.
Somewhat than talking up the opposite contenders waiting within the division, Kelly’s attention quickly turned toward Conor Benn. Benn is a well-known name and a proven draw, but he isn’t a junior middleweight and has already indicated that his plans involve a return to 147. The appeal of the matchup is clear, and it has little to do with settling the pecking order at 154.
That shift stands out because Kelly has framed himself as someone unimpressed by fighters who chase visibility over substance. Yet Benn represents exactly that form of opportunity: an enormous stage, a sellable narrative, and a lower degree of divisional risk than the established threats Kelly now sits above as champion.
After beating Murtazaliev, Kelly has options he didn’t have before. He can use the belt to check himself against the remaining of the division and take away any remaining doubts about where he belongs. He can even use it to secure the largest event available while the highlight is vivid.
There’s nothing unusual about selecting the latter. Boxing has all the time rewarded timing and leverage. The disconnect comes when that alternative is presented as something else. A stadium fight against a natural welterweight may make financial sense, however it doesn’t advance the division or answer questions raised by Kelly’s title win.
Kelly earned respect by stepping in with Murtazaliev. The following defence will show whether that fight was the beginning of a serious run at 154 or just the moment that opened the door to a more comfortable path.