In a thrilling display of skill, Bilal Fawaz stopped Ryan Kelly in the ninth round on May 2, 2026, at the University of Wolverhampton, successfully defending his British and Commonwealth titles. This victory not only solidifies Fawaz’s position in the super welterweight division but also showcases his growing prowess in the boxing world.
Fawaz’s performance was marked by precise combination punching, particularly evident in the fourth round when he hurt Kelly significantly. The fight took a turn when Kelly sustained a cut over his right eye, a testament to Fawaz’s striking accuracy. By the end of the ninth round, Kelly’s corner made the decision not to let him continue — a clear indication of Fawaz’s dominance.
Following this match, Fawaz’s record now stands at 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw with 3 KOs. Meanwhile, Ryan Kelly’s record fell to 20 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw with 8 KOs. This bout was part of a larger boxing event broadcast globally on DAZN, which featured other notable fights including Conah Walker versus Sam Eggington.
Key fight highlights:
- Fawaz exhibited total belief in his ability and fitness throughout the match.
- Kelly struggled as he was regularly hurt and his output began to drop off.
- The fight concluded with Kelly not coming out for the tenth round after a decisive ninth round.
This victory marks another step in Fawaz’s journey — one that began with hardships after moving to the UK as a child. Despite challenges, he has risen to claim significant titles in British boxing.
The boxing community is eager to see what lies ahead for both fighters. For now, Fawaz continues to celebrate this hard-fought victory while Kelly reassesses his strategy moving forward.