Eddie Hearn reckons he will “light up Madison Square Garden” and the man in question says he feels “blessed” to be fighting at the home of boxing.
But for all Josh Kelly plans to drink in everything about the Big Apple and the AJ show he knows he is in New York to perform … and win.
Kelly is chasing victory number 10 in his toughest test to date – a WBA International welterweight title defence against Ray Robinson.
It has the makings of the fight of the night as the brilliant Sunderland boxer takes on the seasoned Philadelphia southpaw who still has plenty left in the tank at the age of 33.
“It’s a bit surreal,” said a relaxed yet focused ‘Pretty Boy’ (pictured at the media conference).
“I feel blessed to be here and to perform on the world stage, not many kids from Sunderland get this chance.
“I’ve worked hard and I feel ready for this step up.
“I’m excited and I plan to take it all in but I aim to perform, that’s the main thing.
Who can begrudge the 25-year-old working class boy from Ryhope from enjoying the bright lights?
But he will enjoy victory against the former WBC title challenger even more.
Robinson, he is the first to acknowledge, is the hardest hurdle has been asked to clear.
‘The New Ray’ went the distance with Shawn Porter, admittedly a few years back now, but his last bout tells us much about him.
Matched with undefeated and hard-hitting Lithuanian, Egidijus Kavaliauskas, Robinson clinched a draw though many felt he deserved to win. One judge gave it to the Philadelphian by four rounds but the other two officials marked it 95-95.
“This is a big step up,” explained the Adam Booth-trained mover.
“He drew with a good prospect and a lot of people thought he won that fight.
“Ray Robinson will give me a test, he will keep my mind fully on the job, there will be no complacency.”
Kelly v Robinson is just one part of an exciting support machine to the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz confrontation.
Joshua Buatsi, a Rio Olympian like Kelly, will defend his WBA International light-heavyweight belt against Marco Antonio Periban.
George Groves-slayer, Callum Smith, puts his WBA World ‘super’ crown, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine super-middleweight straps on the line against Hassan N’Dam.
Throw in a light-welterweight cracker between New Yorker, Chris Algieri, and Hull’s Tommy Coyle for the WBO International championship and you can see why promoter Eddie Hearn was purring at the undercard media conference.
There is a belting women’s clash for the undisputed lightweight championship of the world as the Queen of Ireland, Katie Taylor, is geared up for a very stern test from Belgium’s Delfine Persoon.
“I’m going to get the job done and come away with the W, sit back and watch the rest of the card and hopefully watch the rest of the British fighters do the same,” added Josh.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Ed Mulholland/ Matchroom
