British Super-Welterweight champion, Josh Kelly, appeared to be back to his best when he won the Lonsdale Belt back in December. Now, ‘Pretty Boy’ looks to go one step further and push for a shot at the world title.
Kelly had always been tipped for greatness after winning the bronze for Great Britain at the 2015 European Games and representing his country at the Olympics to following year.
All seemed to be going to plan, with the fan-favourite going unbeaten for his first eleven fights, all of which were against opponents with positive records, earning him a shot at the European welterweight title.
However, a brutal defeat to David Avanesyan brought the Kelly hype train to an abrupt halt as his eye-catching skills proved to be no match for the power and timing of the Russian.
Many feared that the manner of the 147lber’s first loss was so damaging that it could have spelt the end of any world title ambitions, despite being just twenty-seven-years-old, but the Sunderland-born slickster saw it differently.
Instead, Kelly moved up to the super-welterweight division, where he would inevitably face opponents with even more power than Avanesyan, but after three bouts at 154lbs, it looks to have been a superb call.
In his most recent outing, Kelly completely outclassed Troy Williamson to claim the British title – and he already intends to push for more, with undisputed world champion, Jermell Charlo, clearly on his mind.
Wasserman Boxing have announced that Kelly will return to Newcastle and headline an event, facing unbeaten Argentine, Gabriel Corzo (18-0) at the top of the bill. The Brit is ranked #3 with the WBO, whilst Corzo is down at #10, with Kelly hoping that a win will see him progress further in the rankings and move him one step closer to a clash with Charlo, he told Wasserman Boxing.
“A win over Corzo on June 24 in Newcastle will put me within touching distance of a shot at the world title. “I’m thrilled to be teaming up with DAZN and fully intend on producing a stellar performance that will be seen around the world on their platform. “Corzo is ranked No9 in the world and is a good fighter, but I am going to deliver a display that makes the rest of the division sit up and take note. You don’t want to miss this one.”
The event will see Kelly fight live on DAZN for the first time, as he headlines the June 24 card at the Utilita Arena, Newcastle, which will also feature the return of Nathan Gorman, alongside the likes of Steve Robinson, Chloe Watson, Ben Marksby and Codie Smith