Tonight sees three blockbuster events take place, including a jaw-dropping title fight between Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez over in New York
Bakhram Murtazaliev takes on Josh Kelly(Image: Matchroom Boxing/Getty Images)
Boxing fans are well and truly in for a treat later this evening, as three monumental events are set to go down.
Up in Newcastle, Britain’s Josh Kelly will fight for a world title for the first time, but faces a tough night in the office in the shape of the unbeaten behemoth Bakhram Murtazaliev. The former Olympian has been on an absolute tear since his eye-opening defeat to David Avanesyan back in 2021. Undefeated in his last seven fights, Kelly will be looking to fulfil his dream so close to home.
Elsewhere in the UK, boxing is back on BBC. Ben Shalom’s BOXXER will stage its second card on the national broadcaster, following their successful debut back in November. Topping the bill is rising star Fran Hennessy – who will be looking to keep her unbeaten record intact against Ellie Bouttell. The pair will clash for the vacant WBC Silver women’s bantamweight title. Later this evening, a mouthwatering title fight will take place over in New York. Three-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson moves up to super-lightweight to challenge for Teofimo Lopez’s WBO title. And so, here is everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s fights…
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly
What UK time will Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly start tonight?
Tonight’s action will take place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle. The main card is due to get underway at around 7pm GMT (2pm ET / 11am PT / 1pm CT). In the main event, Kelly will make the walk to the ring first at around 9.30pm GMT (4:30pm ET / 1.30pm PT / 3.30pm CT) with Murtazaliev set to follow shortly after. The two stars will then touch gloves shortly after before the first bell sounds. The fight should not start later than this but could be brought forward if the undercard fights are completed earlier than expected.
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How to watch Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly on TV and live stream
The entire event will be broadcast live on DAZN. This popular streaming service can be accessed as an additional subscription on television sets. It’s also available for live streaming via the official website or through the downloadable application. A DAZN membership costs £119.99 annually or £14.99 monthly, alternatively £24.99 on a flexible arrangement that permits cancellation at any time.
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Full fight card and undercard
Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh KellyJosh Padley vs Jaouad BelmehdiElif Nur Turhan vs Taylah GentzenJosh Blenkiron vs Robbie ColmanLeo Atang vs Amine BoucettaBrad Casey vs Lee RobertsLee Rogers vs TBAKiaran MacDonald vs TBA
Quotes corner
Bakhram Murtazaliev: “It makes me laugh a little about knocking me down, but let’s see what Saturday is going to bring and let’s see what he’s going to say after the fight.”
Josh Kelly: “I become world champion by doing me. By going in there and taking advantage of what I need to take advantage of and performing in the little moments and just enjoying myself. Take every step as it comes and I believe I am the new IBF champion. Come and try and really take my head off and try and hurt us and that will suit me down to a tee.”
Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell
What UK time will Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell start tonight?
Tonight’s event will take place at the Copper Box Arena, London. The fight card will likely kick off at around 6pm GMT (1pm ET / 10am PT / 12pm CT) In the main event, Bouttell will make the walk to the ring first at around 10pm GMT (5pm ET / 2pm PT / 4pm CT) with Hennessy set to follow immediately after. The two stars will then touch gloves shortly after before the first bell sounds. The fight should not start later than this but could be brought forward if the undercard fights are completed earlier than expected.
How to watch Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell on TV and live stream
Fans in the United Kingdom will be able to catch all of the action live on BBC Two. The event will also be streamed live on BBC iPlayer – so fans can watch all of the fights while on the go. For those watching in the US, the fight will be available to stream on Triller.
Full fight card and undercard
Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie BouttellJoel Kodua vs Joe GarsideGradus Kraus vs Boris CrightonErgal Elezaj vs Will HoweHassan Azim vs Sean MurrayArchie Sharp vs Angelo DragoneDerrick Osadolor vs Ben VickersSaqib Mehmood vs Engel Gomez
Quotes corner
Francesca Hennessy: “It feels amazing to have a women’s fight headlining on the BBC. I feel absolutely privileged to be on this card and be a headliner on it. I know Ellie’s a very good fighter. I know the best of me beats anyone. That’s just how I feel. I’m very disciplined. That mentality stays the same regardless of who’s in front of me.”
Ellie Bouttell: “Any sort of big step up feels sudden, it doesn’t mean it’s faster than it should have been. It’s a big step. I think we come into this fight with the same kind of attitude, don’t underestimate the opponent, expect it to be a tough fight that goes the distance… we’ve worked incredibly hard for this fight… I know my opponent is a challenging one.”
Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson
What UK time will Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson start tonight?
The mouthwatering card is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden, New York, later this evening. The main fight card is due to begin at around 11pm GMT on Saturday (6pm ET / 3pm PT / 5pm CT). In the main event, Stevenson will make the walk to the ring first at around 3:50am GMT on Sunday (10:50pm ET / 7:50pm PT / 9:50pm CT) with Lopez set to follow immediately after. The two stars will then touch gloves shortly after before the first bell sounds. The fight should not start later than this but could be brought forward if the undercard fights are completed earlier than expected.
How to watch Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson on TV and live stream
Lopez’s clash with Stevenson will be broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view. The PPV is a one-off cost of £24.99 in the UK and $69.99 in the US. Alternatively, fans can also purchase both the Lopez vs Stevenson and Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia – scheduled to take place on February 21 – PPVs together for a discounted bundle price of $109.99 US, £39.99 UK. Fans can watch for FREE by signing up to DAZN Ultimate below.
Watch Lopez vs Stevenson live on DAZN
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The Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson fight is set for Saturday, January 31, as part of Ring 6.
Fans can order the full fight card on DAZN PPV for £24.99 or watch it free with DAZN Ultimate.
Full fight card and undercard
Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur StevensonKeyshawn Davis vs Jamaine OrtizBruce Carrington vs Carlos CastroCarlos Adames vs Austin WilliamsJarrell Miller vs Kingsley IbehZiyad Al Maayouf vs Kevin Castillo
Quotes corner
Teofimo Lopez: “I’m the champion. Stevenson is trying to come in and take what I have. It ain’t happening. His people are telling him to play it safe because they know what he’s up against. But in fights like this, with so much on the line, you gotta take risks. You gotta be a dog to take it from a champion. And I’m the dog in this fight, a true champion. Always have been.”
Shakur Stevenson: “I think he’s nervous, and he’s giving off energy as if he’s trying to delude his brain into believing things that are basically not gonna happen. I just don’t know how he can delude his brain into believing that, when he didn’t make Steve Claggett — that’s his name, Steve Claggett — quit? He didn’t make him quit. He didn’t make George Kambosos quit. He did not make [Vasiliy] Lomachenko quit. So what in the world makes him think that he’s gonna make me quit?”