Just seven days to go before AJ steps into the garden.
For all there is hype surrounding the world heavyweight champion’s USA debut, there will only be one winner, but there is genuine excitement for the first export of Josh Kelly to the States.
The Sunderland star will make the third defence of his WBA International welterweight title against Philadelphia’s Ray Robinson on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s clash with Andy Ruiz Jr.
You would have to say the outcome of the IBF, IBO, WBA and WBO showdown looks somewhat predictable, but there is plenty of interest on the undercard.
And that is certainly the case with Kelly who after ‘touring’ the UK’s main spots now gets one of the greatest stages in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
While the Ray Robinson he meets does not have ‘Sugar’ in front of his name, he presents a serious test to the 25-year-old, but Adam Smith says this is the “perfect” platform for Kelly.
“Josh Kelly is one of the hottest talents in Britain – and Madison Square Garden is a perfect venue for him to showcase his skills,” said the head of Sky Sports Boxing.
“We’ve covered Kelly’s exciting career from the very start. ‘PBK’ can now show American fans why he’s a name to watch in that red-hot welterweight division.”
Success against the 33-year-old southpaw would make it 10 out of 10 since making his debut just over two years ago.
Kelly and Robinson collide on a huge night of action at MSG where Joshua’s World title defence against Ruiz is supported by two other trans-Atlantic title affairs.
New York’s Chris Algieri and Hull’s Tommy Coyle clash in a crossroads light-welterweight fight and the brilliant Londoner Joshua Buatsi defends his WBA International light-Heavyweight title against Mexico’s Marco Antonio Periban.
Elsewhere, Callum Smith puts his WBA and WBC Diamond super-middleweight titles against Hassan N’Dam from France, and Irish sensation Katie Taylor faces Belgium’s Delfine Persoon for the undisputed women’s world lightweight championship.
The action from Madison Square Garden will be shown live on Sky Sports Box Office
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Ian Walton/ Matchroom
