Murtazaliev vs Kelly: How Briton Josh Kelly overcame hypochondria to earn world title shot

Kelly took 16 months away from the ring after his loss against Avaneysan to address his condition.

He sought out some professional help but leant largely on friends, family and his faith to change his mentality.

“My friends helped but God helped a lot,” Kelly said.

“I spoke to certain people and eventually found this guy Steven Green who is a friend and mentor of mine now.

“I was on a Zoom call with him about property and he said he could help with my mindset in boxing. I didn’t believe it until we did some deep chatting and he opened my mind up.”

Kelly – trained by Adam Booth – marked his return with a stoppage victory against Peter Kramer and has excelled at domestic and European level.

Wins over current British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Troy Williamson and light-middleweight Commonwealth and British champion Ishmael Davis sent a clear signal of intent.

Now, on a seven-fight win streak, Kelly has been propelled to the world title stage and faces undefeated Russian Martazaliev for light-middleweight glory at the Utilita Arena.

“Boxing training is probably 90% physical and 10% mental but it flips the other way on fight night and I’ve got that nailed down,” Kelly said.

“I’m that strong mentally now that no one can come near that and I’m locked off. I don’t just believe it but I know it to be true.

“The time I had off was needed so I could sort myself out and fulfil my potential. Now I feel strong. I’m not cutting as much weight and I feel mature.

“Back then if you asked me whether I’d be competing for a world title now I would say you were crazy.

“It’s about faith, belief and putting trust in the right people around me.”