It’s on and on at one of British boxing’s great venues.
Josh Kelly will challenge David Avanesyan for his European welterweight title at the O2 in London on Saturday, March 28.
What a prospect fight fans are in for and what a chance for Kelly.
The Sunderland sensation has come in for a panning from armchair critics and keyboard warriors over the past year, despite extending his unbeaten run to 11 bouts.
It’s going to be a huge test in the capital given the Nottinghamshire-based Armenian-born star has cemented his position in the top 10 of world’s leading sanctioning bodies in the intervening period.
But ‘Pretty Boy’ says he is pretty excited ahead of the clash.
“It’s a good opportunity to silence the doubters,” declared Kelly.
“He is the favourite now. He has proved how good he is in the last three fights.
“It’s going to be a good fight, but one I’m quietly confident about.
“I do feel excited. I feel like this is a turning point in my career.
“If I win, when I win, then I take it to the next level. A lot in the future is lying on this fight.”
Kelly v Avanesyan was announced during Saturday night’s show in Sheffield, headlined by Kell Brook.
There was a heavy sense of irony given it was the FlyDSA Arena that Kelly and Avanesyan were first due to meet back in December 2018 before an illness forced the Rio Olympian to pull out at the 11th hour.
It led to Avanesyan’s manager, Neil Marsh, to accuse Kelly and coach, Adam Booth, of being “complete bottle jobs”.
Since that collapsed confrontation, Kelly has made two successful defences of his WBA International welterweight title.
The 25-year-old outpointed undefeated Polish fighter, Przemyslaw Runowski, at the O2 in April last year before drawing with American Ray Robinson two months later on his US debut at the fampius Madison Square Garden.
“Two fights ago I fought Ray Robinson, which was a massive step-up,” said Josh, pictured on the left with David back in December 2018.
“I don’t think people realised how big of a step-up that was, but now I’m fighting Avanesyan, I should get the credit I deserve.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
