Former champion to get mandatory opportunity.
Bakhram Murtazaliev won the IBF super-welterweight title by beating Jack Culcay in early 2024.
Because of there not being a host of recognisable names on his résumé, he was seen as an easy path back to being world champion for Tim Tszyu, who was coming off of his first defeat to Sebastian Fundora.
After four knockdowns in three rounds, Murtazaliev was roaring in celebration, while Tszyu was standing by the ropes, looking like he had just been rudely awakened. But in truth, he had just experienced a rude awakening.
This win let everybody know that Murtazaliev wasn’t someone you fought unless you were absolutely aware of the risks heading in.
Josh Kelly was, and he would surprisingly defeat Murtazaliev to snap the Russian’s unbeaten record in January of this year.
A few months later, another 154-pound contender in Caoimhín Agyarko was set to square off with Brandon Adams in an IBF title eliminator.
The fight was to take place last Saturday, yet it fell apart on the Friday after Adams collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Consequently, Agyarko’s big opportunity went up in smoke.
Or did it? For we now have received the news that the IBF has ordered Agyarko to fight Murtazaliev for the place of mandatory challenger to champion Kelly.
Murtazaliev has reportedly already notified the sanctioning body that he will be participating, while Agyarko has until Monday to do the same.
This presents Northern Ireland’s Agyarko to potentially get a shot at becoming world champion, while it gives Murtazaliev an opportunity to win back his belt from the very person who took it from him.
Truly, one man’s loss is another man’s gain.
News: With Brandon Adams withdrawing on event of last Saturday’s IBF 154 final eliminator vs. Caoimhin Agyarko due to a health issue, the IBF has ordered Agyarko vs. former titlist Bakhram Murtazaliev for the mandatory spot. Murtazaliev notified IBF he’ll participate. Agyarko has…
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) April 16, 2026
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