Zak Chelli
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 November 1997[3] |
| Height | 6'1ft[3] |
| Weight | Light-Heavyweight [2] |
| Boxing career | |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record[1] | |
| Total fights | 20 |
| Wins | 16 |
| Win by KO | 8 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
Zak Chelli (born 26 November 1997) is an English professional boxer who is the current English Light-Heavyweight champion and former British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion. He has also held the English and WBA Continental super-middleweight titles.
Career
Chelli made his pro-debut at York Hall in London on 24 February 2017, stopping Jacob Lucas in the third of their scheduled four-round encounter.[4]
He won his first professional title in his eighth fight, claiming the vacant Southern Area super-middleweight crown with a unanimous decision victory over Jimmy Smith at Wembley Arena on 27 April 2019.[5][6]
On 10 November 2020, Chelli defeated Vladimir Georgiev by unanimous decision and Mike McGoldrick via a second round stoppage at BT Sport Studio in Stratford to win the Boxxer VII tournament and secure a two-year contract with the promotional company.[7][8][9]
He became English super-middleweight champion by dethroning Germaine Brown with a unanimous decision success at Wembley Arena on 11 June 2022.[10]
At the same venue on 11 February 2023, Chelli took the WBA Continental super-middleweight title thanks to a unanimous decision win over Anthony Sims Jr.[11][12][13]
He lost his English title to Mark Jeffers at Manchester Arena on 1 July 2023, going down to a unanimous decision defeat.[14]
Chelli challenged British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Jack Cullen at Liverpool Arena on 20 January 2024, winning the bout by unanimous decision.[15][16]
In his first defense at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley on 3 August 2024, he lost his titles via unanimous decision to Callum Simpson.[17][18]
As of 27th June 2025 he is the current English light heavyweight champion, winner with a KO victory against Adam Hepple.[19]
Personal life
Chelli has a degree in business, management and marketing from the University of Surrey and, after gaining a teaching qualification, worked as a substitute teacher during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.[20]
References
- ^ "Boxing record for Zak Chelli". BoxRec.
- ^ https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/news/2025/07/fulham-fighter-crowned-new-english-light-heavyweight-champion
- ^ a b c "Zak Chelli". tapology.com. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Chelli snatches his 'time to shine' with both hands". Islington Gazette. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli Beats Jimmy Smith, Grabs Southern Area Belt". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "I am always ready for a fight: Fulham boxer Zak Chelli sets sights on being world champion". South West Londoner. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli Wins BOXXER Tournament at BT Sport Studios in London". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli wins Boxxer tournament and makes it look easy". Seconds Out. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Red-Hot Chelli storms Super-Middleweight Tournament, wins long-term BOXXER contract". boxxer.com. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli Outboxes Germaine Brown, Viddal Riley Blows Out Jone Volau". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Chelli overcame Sims Jr. to win the WBA regional belt". wbaboxing.com. 13 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli Outworks Anthony Sims Over Ten, Viddal Riley Wins". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli takes upset win over Anthony Sims: "I outboxed the boxer. It doesn't get any better!"". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Mark Jeffers Outpoints Zak Chelli Over Ten Rounds". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli defeats Jack Cullen to win the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight championships". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Zak Chelli Fights Past Jack Cullen For Unanimous Decision, Captures British, Commonwealth Titles". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Callum Simpson overcomes Zak Chelli in hometown triumph to win British and Commonwealth championships". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "Callum Simpson dethrones Zak Chelli to win super-middleweight titles". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ^ "🇬🇧💎 Boxrec.co.uk". Nameify. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Zak Chelli: Super-middleweight went from teaching in lockdown to fighting for a British title". BBC Sport. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 14 February 2025.