On May 2, 2026, at the University of Wolverhampton, Bilal Fawaz proved his mettle in the boxing ring by stopping Ryan Kelly in the ninth round, successfully defending both his British and Commonwealth titles.
The fight unfolded with palpable tension. Fawaz’s strategy was clear: he aimed to dominate through accurate combination punching. In the fourth round, he hurt Kelly significantly, landing precise blows that began to turn the tide. As the rounds progressed, it became evident that Fawaz’s skill and confidence were overwhelming.
Key statistics:
- Fawaz improved his record to 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, with 3 KOs.
- Kelly’s record now stands at 20 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with 8 KOs.
- The fight lasted until the end of the ninth round when Kelly did not come out for the tenth round.
The bout was part of a global event broadcast on DAZN, featuring other exciting matchups like Conah Walker vs. Sam Eggington. The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as fans tuned in worldwide.
Fawaz had previously vowed to make Kelly regret signing for this fight. As he executed his game plan flawlessly, it became clear that he was a self-assured character with total belief in his ability and fitness.
Fight highlights:
- Kelly suffered a cut over his right eye during the match.
- His output began to drop off as Fawaz continued to land clean shots.
- The referee ultimately stopped the fight after Kelly failed to return for the final round.
This victory not only solidifies Fawaz’s standing within the super welterweight division but also raises questions about what lies ahead for both fighters. Will Fawaz continue to climb higher in rankings? And what will be next for Kelly after this setback?