After last week's IBF purse bid postponement for Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Josh Kelly, the two sides were expected to revisit bids on Tuesday.

However, The Ring has been informed that it has been officially canceled, and a deal is now imminent. A source close to the situation explained that small details are being ironed out, but a formal announcement is forthcoming. Fight Freaks Unite have reported that a date in late January is in play and that Matchroom will promote the fight, which is likely to land in England.

This will be music to Murtazaliev's ears. The IBF junior middleweight champ was one of the hottest names in the division following his explosive third-round knockout win over Tim Tszyu to win the title on October 19, 2024, at the Caribe Royal in Orlando, Florida.

He has not fought since. Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) was originally on the verge of facing the IBF's then No. 1-ranked contender, Erickson Lubin. The former title challenger, however, went in another direction. He’s now scheduled to face WBC interim champion, Vergil Ortiz Jr., on November 8 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, live on DAZN.

As for Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs), the IBF’s No. 3 ranked contender has been on a roll since losing to David Avanesyan via stoppage in 2022. His seven-fight win streak includes a June 6 first-round victory over Flavius Biea.