Sunderland fan Josh Kelly hopes to one day fight at the Stadium of Light.
The football club’s 49,000-seater stadium is famous for its cauldron like atmosphere and for Kelly it would represent a bucket list moment to one day box there.
Kelly is back in the ring on Saturday night in Newcastle against Lucas Brian Bastida six weeks after his return last month following a 16-month lay-off.
Speaking in a Wasserman Boxing press release the 28-year-old Super Welterweight talked about the possibility of fighting at the famous venue during a visit to the club.
“The possibility of fighting here is mental. It felt a bit like a Conor McGregor moment when he mentioned manifesting all this stuff, I feel like it’s starting to come to a head now. I’ve been thinking about fighting here for so long, I’ve got it written down and things like that.”
“Walking out onto that pitch, I could see the place full up and it would be absolutely amazing. That would tick a massive box in my career if I could, it would be like a bucket list thing for me.”
Kelly is rebuilding his career with the help of Wasserman, their promoters Kalle and Nisse Sauerland, and has the free-to-air television of platform of Josh Kelly to boost his profile.
Beating Peter Kramer last month showcased Kelly’s and reminded everybody of the skillset he possesses. ‘Pretty Boy’ has now moved on from the defeat to David Avanesyan in February 2021 and is aiming for bigger and better things as his career carries on through this next chapter.
“I’m mixing with the world’s best all the time in sparring, and I’m sharing the ring with all the top guys, and I can hold my own with everyone. I know where I’m at in the gym, I just need to do it on fight night now.
“I’ve got true belief in myself that everything that has happened is in the past and I’m moving on to some big things, especially at 154lbs. I feel so strong, and healthy and fit; just powerful at this weight.”
A win against Argentina’s Bastida at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle on Saturday will reward Kelly with the vacant WBO International Super Welterweight title and a world ranking. And from there the only was is up.
“It’s a WBO international title I’m fighting for, and it gets you into the top 15, it gets you straight into them rankings.
“Once you start fighting amongst that then the belts start to appear in your sights. I believe I can push myself to the top and get myself into a mandatory position to get a shot at that world title.”
“The best version of me beats the best version of him, so I just have to turn up.”