BoxRec

IBF requests Adams availability for Murtazaliev bout, Agyarko moves on

The IBF is continuing their efforts to find Josh Kelly's mandatory challenger.

The sanctioning body requested the availability of both Brandon Adams, its No. 3-ranked contender, and former champion Bakhram Murtazaliev for an IBF 154-pound title eliminator.

Caoimhin Agyarko, the No. 4-rated contender, was set to face Adams on April 11 in Las Vegas. However, on the morning of their weigh-ins, Adams (26-4, 16 KOs) collapsed in his hotel room and was hospitalized, forcing their fight to be canceled.

The IBF ordered Agyarko-Murtazaliev, as was reported last week, though Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) informed the sanctioning body he was unavailable.

Since then, reports in Ireland suggest he could be the opponent for Josh Kelly's voluntary title defense in August or September, depending on whether Matchroom can snare Croke Park to fulfill Katie Taylor's long-standing wish.

Nonetheless, Adams is now getting a second chance after his unexpected setback earlier this month.

Per an update from journalist Dan Rafael, both he and the fifth-ranked Murtazaliev (23-1, 17 KOs) have already accepted their positions in writing, with formal negotiations expected to be ordered in due course.

The winner will be mandated to fight for Kelly's crown, which he won with a surprise 12-round split decision over Murtazaliev on January 31.

Glad to see Murtazaliev back in the mix so fast, big fan of his after Tszyu beat down, Josh Kelly fight was close , I think Murtazaliev lost that one due in activity.

I like this match up - a lot. There is the potential for some serious fireworks with a title shot on the line.

Adams has surprised several Eastern European punchers (Bohachuk twice and Khytrov) but got KO'd by Apollo Thompson, showed nothing against Jermall Charlo, and lost a close SD to Katzourakis. In the other corner, Murtazaliev was the feared boogeyman of the division after what he did to Tszyu but was a ghost of that fighter in the title defense against Kelly.

News: IBF on Monday scheduled a 154 final elimonator between Brandon Adams & Bakhram Murtazaliev for the right to become Josh Kelly's mandatory. The purse bid is scheduled for May 27 during the ratings meeting at the IBF annual convention in Ho Tram, Vietnam. #boxing

I really enjoy this matchup. With a title shot at stake, there might be some major pyrotechnics.
Adams stunned a number of Eastern European punchers, including Khytrov and Bohachuk twice. However, he was knocked out by Apollo Thompson, performed poorly against Jermall Charlo, and lost a tight SD to Katzourakis. In the opposite corner, Murtazaliev was a ghost of that fighter in the championship defense against Kelly, despite being the division's dreaded boogeyman due to what he did to Tszyu.

On paper this is a great matchup but Murta barely fights & Adams has just had a big medical issue so I will be sceptical about it until that first bell rings.

Aside from that, I can see a good argument for either man winning.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑12 May 2026, 18:53 News: IBF on Monday scheduled a 154 final elimonator between Brandon Adams & Bakhram Murtazaliev for the right to become Josh Kelly's mandatory. The purse bid is scheduled for May 27 during the ratings meeting at the IBF annual convention in Ho Tram, Vietnam. #boxing
Trees Hate You

The match-up between Brandon Adams and Bakhram Murtazaliev is also compelling stylistically. Adams brings experience, toughness, and ring intelligence, while Murtazaliev has been viewed as one of the more dangerous and physically imposing fighters at 154 pounds.

IBF championship updates: Brandon Adams-Bakhram Murtazaliev and Andy Cruz-Albert Bell in

The IBF, at its convention in Vietnam, today ruled over the championship and mandatory statuses in the 17 boxing weight classes.

FightNews reported that an IBF eliminator at junior middleweight was confirmed, with Brandon Adams and Bakhram Murtazaliev set to meet for the right to challenge Josh Kelly, who beat Murtazaliev in January and is plotting a defense against Caoimhin Agyarko in the meantime.

Meanwhile, down at lightweight, Andy Cruz could get another shot at Raymond Muratalla, whom he lost to in January for the vacant IBF title, if he gets past Albert Ball in an eliminator.

Matchroom won bids for Cruz-Ball while Main Events won the right to stage Adams-Murtazaliev.

IBF: MURTAZALIEV VS. ADAMS, MCKENNA TITLE SHOT, NICHOLSON ELEVATED

Brandon Adams will have to deal with Bakhram Murtazaliev’s rabid fanbase when they face off.

Main events, Murtazaliev’s promoter, made the winning bid of $361,000 on Wednesday to host the Murtazaliev (23-1, 17 KOs) vs. Adams (26-4, 16 KOs) IBF title eliminator. A date hasn't been determined, but The Ring has learned that the bout will take place this summer in Russia.

News of a hometown fight, which came out during the IBF convention in Vietnam, must be music to Murtazaliev’s ears. The Grozny, Russia, native hasn’t fought in front of his fans since scoring a first-round knockout over Bruno Leonardo Romay in 2019.

If things work out in his favor against Adams, Murtazaliev could force Josh Kelly into a rematch. Murtazaliev lost a close majority decision and his IBF 154-pound title to Kelly in January.

Adams figures to be an underdog, but he’s feeling good about himself. The 36-year-old decisively beat Serhii Bohachuk last September and was set to face Caoimhin Agyarko in an eliminator before falling ill.