Josh Kelly is on a superb run. He’s received each struggle he is had since his punishing 2021 loss to David Avanesyan, together with a formidable British title victory over Troy Williamson.
However the questions raised by the Avanesyan defeat have haunted Kelly ever since. He intends to reply them as soon as and for all when he fights Liam Smith on September 21.
Kelly and Smith field on the Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois undercard at Wembley Stadium, reside on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace.
Smith is a former super-welterweight world champion who’s fought Canelo Alvarez and a plethora of high fighters, most lately exchanging a win and a loss with Chris Eubank Jr.
He’s a grasp at making use of aggressive strain, and if Kelly hasn’t ironed flaws out of his boxing, Smith will expose them.
Kelly’s coach Adam Sales space, nevertheless, is satisfied his fighter is now prepared for this check.
“Josh is in his prime. The last two-and-a-half years have really been the most important progression mentally. He’s learned a lot about himself and recovered a lot of problems that he’s had for years,” Sales space advised Sky Sports activities.
“Ever since the first day he walked into my gym six-and-a-half years ago and he sparred Billy Joe Saunders, Andy Lee, Liam Williams, he proved then that he had the grade in him. It was just his mind and his mindset and his maturity and understanding of himself that needed to catch up.
“It did with the work that he is been doing. However now he’s in his prime and I’ll genuinely match him towards anybody.”
Kelly has by no means boxed greater than super-welter, whereas Smith’s final three fights have been at middleweight. However Sales space insists Kelly will not be at a big drawback in measurement and power.
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Watch unseen footage of Liam Smith’s sensational stoppage victory over Chris Eubank Jr in Manchester on the weekend.
“Josh is a very big 154lbs, and Liam is a 154 who’s just a bit older now. He’s tough, experienced and rough enough to be a 160lbs fighter but the difference between 154 and 160 isn’t that much,” Sales space mentioned.
“I expect, knowing Liam and knowing Josh, that the difference when they’re in the ring will be about two pounds at most. It’s an even match up and I think people will be surprised when the fight starts Josh will be the one that looks bigger.”
Kelly is considered a gifted stylist, relatively than a damaging pressure. However he would possibly have the ability to change that notion on this struggle.
“You’re going to see much more,” Sales space promised. “You won’t see the same because the Troy [Williamson] fight was actually still part of his rehabilitation or evolution and understanding of himself and getting life into perspective.
“If you happen to take a look at the Troy struggle it was a motion and defensive masterclass. However he is far more harmful than that now. If you happen to return and also you take a look at the footage of Josh and also you take a look at him now bodily there’s an immense distinction since December 2022 and that is in all probability what excites me probably the most.
“I know he can be hurtful. I know he’s a lot tougher and a lot stronger than people realise, because of the style that he boxes.
“But in addition for the reason that Troy struggle, the chew that he is been getting on his pictures within the health club and within the ring now’s beginning to present out and I feel that September 21 will simply be extra of a development.
Josh Kelly will face the sternest check of his skills towards Liam Smith
“He still won’t be the completed article, I think there’s still more to come from him. But at this stage and where he’s at, I’m genuinely excited about how he boxes and how he’s going about day-to-day life, and how well he’s landing shots now.”
Kelly’s outcomes, thus far, haven’t matched the expectations for him. However Sales space has not misplaced religion that his cost is a particular fighter.
“You know unique talent when you see it and whether that talent can fulfil its potential,” he mentioned.
“When a talent like Josh Kelly does fulfil its potential, it does go to the highest level.”
Watch Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium reside on Sky Sports activities Field Workplace on September 21.
