On May 2, 2026, at the University of Wolverhampton, Bilal Fawaz showcased his boxing prowess by stopping Ryan Kelly in the ninth round, successfully defending his British and Commonwealth titles. This victory improved Fawaz’s professional record to 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw with 3 KOs.
Fawaz demonstrated his skill early in the fight, notably hurting Kelly with accurate combination punching in the fourth round. The fight took a turn when Kelly suffered a cut over his right eye, which affected his performance significantly.
As the match progressed, it became clear that Kelly was struggling. His output began to drop off as he faced consistent pressure from Fawaz. By the end of the ninth round, Kelly did not come out for the tenth, leading to the stoppage.
This bout was part of a larger boxing event broadcast globally on DAZN, which also featured other notable fights such as Conah Walker vs. Sam Eggington and Tiah Mai Ayton vs. Stevi Levy.
Key statistics:
- Fawaz’s record: 12-1-1 (3 KOs)
- Kelly’s record: 20-8-1 (8 KOs)
- Fight ended in the ninth round
Fawaz is known for his self-assured character and total belief in his ability and fitness. He had previously vowed to make Kelly regret signing a contract for this fight.
The boxing community is now watching closely to see how Fawaz will capitalize on this victory. Future matchups could include high-profile contenders in the super welterweight division.
