Zak Chelli
English boxer (born 1997)
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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]