Las Vegas? Madison Square Garden? Either will do for ‘Pretty Boy’.
Josh Kelly is a man with one eye on the big prize and the other eye on boxing’s great homes.
The Sunderland boxer, targeting a November return to the square ring, has been telling Sky Sports.
“I do love boxing in England with the crowd and all your friends and family there,” said the 24-year-old. “But heading to America would be a dream come true.
“It just feels different in the USA, I remember when I was younger watching Mike Tyson fights, it’s a country steeped in boxing history.
“My dad, who only fought at amateur, always said that his dream place to box was the Royal Albert Hall in London and that never happened for him.
“I’ve set my heights a little higher and if I could box at Madison Square Garden or at one of my home stadiums then that would be massive.
“If I was pushed then Madison Square Garden is the one I want ticked off.”
On the subject of the United States of America, Kelly would love to tackle tough Texan Brandon ‘Bam Bam’ Rios.
The 32-year-old former world champion has 25 of his 34 wins by KO and has only lost to the very top-drawer operators.
It would represent quite a step forward for Kelly who, it must be noted, has only had SEVEN contests.
The last two have brought its rewards, beating Carlos Molina for the WBA International welterweight belt before forcing Kris George to retire in the Commonwealth championship match in Newcastle in June.
“I don’t like to be disrespectful but I can get a bit bored in a fight, I solve the puzzle quickly and then it’s cruise control from there.,” he told skysports.com.
“I want to get to a point where I can’t afford to switch off, that’s when the best version of me comes out and it’ll happen once I step up.
“Rios is a fighter that’ll force it out of me, he’s been there, done it and will keep me switched on. I know he’ll make me go through the levels and gears. It’s what I want and need.”
Click here for Kelly’s full interview on Sky Sports.
Trainer Adam Booth has not been shy moving on the 2016 Olympian with Matchroom supremo, Eddie Hearn, making the matches Team Kelly want.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
