Troy Williamson defends his British Super Welterweight title against Josh Kelly on Friday December 2 in a battle of the North East.
Kelly enters the fight having built up two good wins after a knockout loss to David Avaneysan derailed his undefeated campaign. He will enter the ring with a fresh love for the sport and a desire to progress up the ranks.
The champion, Williamson, is undefeated in 19 contests with 14 knockouts to boot. He picked up the British title earlier this year against Mason Cartwright, and looks to cement his status as champion in a scrap that the bookies have him slight favourite.
At the press conference ahead of the fight, he questioned Kelly’s will to win.
“I’ve said it before, I probably don’t need to say it again, but I believe he lacks heart. I feel it’s bred in people, one thing’s for certain is that it’s bred in me, but we’re going to see on Friday if Josh has got it because I’m going to take him to deep waters. He’s in for a tough night.”
As for Kelly, he’s confident that he holds the superior boxing skills – something Williamson disputed. Despite believing he can rank up points come Friday night, he believes Williamson will be hurt, perhaps stopped, when the time comes.
“I’d like to see him out-box me on the night, 100%. If he wants to try and box me that’ll be good, he’ll be a silly man to do that but I think it’s going to go how I want it to go on the night. I cannot wait to lace them boots up, get them gloves on, and get dancing in that ring.”
“All of the pressure is on Troy. I’ve operated at top levels, I’ve boxed at Madison Square Gardens, I’ve been with ex-world champions. I know exactly what these big events are like with the pressure it brings; when he walks to that ring he’s going to feel it on Friday night.”
““When I’ve thought about this fight, I’ve seen Troy hurt.”
Whether or not it’s boxer versus brawler on the night remains to be seen, but there’s no question that the fight has all the ingredients to make a thriller.
The show, promoted by Wasserman Boxing, takes place at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle, and will be broadcast live and free on Channel 5.