Josh Kelly’s journey to the top has experienced an interruption.
Illness has done something no fighter has yet to achieve and knock the Sunderland boxer off his feet.
Kelly had been scheduled to make the second defence of his WBA International welterweight belt against David Avanesyan in Sheffield.
However, Matchroom this afternoon that an unwell Kelly was being forced to withdraw from one of the main bouts supporting Kell Brook’sworld title eliminator in his home city with Australia’s ex-Commonwealth champ Michael Zerafa.
Matchroom tweeted: ‘Breaking news: @JOSHPBK is out of his fight tonight with David Avanesyan after falling ill overnight. The fight will be rescheduled and we wish PBK a speedy recovery’.
Kelly took to Twitter himself to say: ‘It’s been hard tosay the least not fighting because of illness doesn’t only affect me but affects others around me as well and for that I’m sorry….after weighing in I didn’t feel tip (top)’.
It’s a blow to the 24-year-old, who was looking to take what he described as his next “step” towards a world title shot.
Sadly, what looked like one of the potential fights of the Sky Sports-screened event will have to wait, possibly until the earlyspring.
In these social media days, the news sparked no shortage of reaction, some good, some bad.
Many on Twitter wished ‘Pretty Boy’ well, reasoning that it’s wiser to pull out than box at less than 100 per cent, while there were detractors, ranging from calling him a ‘disgrace’ for withdrawing on the day to accusing him of a ‘bottle’ job and having struggled with the weight.
Kelly knows his body better than anyone so, ultimately, it’s his call.
Your punch-lines writer has never been through the ropes (and would never dare) but I am aware boxers know what pulling out means and know their opponent has been through a long camp and had to shed the pounds himself. Kelly, therefore, will not have taken the decision lightly.
This is not football where you can perhaps give it a go at 90 per cent fit knowing there is someone you can bring on from the bench if you are forced to come off.
Talk of Kelly bottling it is too ludicrous for words.
This is the fella, who debuted over six rounds, who has never fought a journeyman and who took on Carlos Molina in his SIXTH pro fight and Commonwealth champ Kris George in his next.
Bottlers don’t sign up to a contest with ex-world title holder David Avanesyan in bout nine.
Yes, it’s gutting for both fighters, and their teams, and for Kelly’s supporters venturing to the FlyDSA Arena or tuning in on Sky. But this is not the end of the world. As Avanesyan weighed in he is entitled to his wages and it will be a great fightwhen it goes ahead in 2019
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Martchroom
