Bilal Fawaz Dominates Ryan Kelly in Title Defense

On May 2, 2026, at the University of Wolverhampton, Bilal Fawaz demonstrated his boxing prowess by stopping Ryan Kelly in the ninth round, successfully defending his British and Commonwealth titles.

The fight unfolded dramatically. Fawaz hurt Kelly with precise combination punching in the fourth round, leaving the latter cut over the right eye. From that moment on, Kelly struggled to keep up, with his output dropping significantly as the rounds progressed.

As the ninth round concluded, it became evident that Kelly would not emerge for the tenth. His record now stands at 20 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw with 8 KOs. Meanwhile, Fawaz improved to an impressive 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw with 3 KOs after this bout.

This match was part of a larger boxing event broadcast globally on DAZN, featuring other notable fights including Conah Walker against Sam Eggington and Tiah Mai Ayton versus Stevi Levy.

Fawaz’s confidence shone through as he vowed to make Kelly regret signing for this fight. “Kelly was being regularly hurt,” an observer noted, reflecting on the fighter’s diminishing performance as the rounds wore on. Fawaz is known for his self-assured character and total belief in his ability and fitness.

As fans celebrate this victory, uncertainties linger about what lies ahead for both fighters. With Fawaz’s career trajectory looking promising after this title defense, questions remain regarding Kelly’s next steps in the ring.