Becoming European champion will transform Josh Kelly into a top star.
That’s the declaration from Eddie Hearn though there is the not-so-small task of David Avanesyan standing in the way first.
Kelly’s challenge for the in-form Armenian’s EBU welterweight belt will headline the O2 on Saturday, March 28, when the former WBA world champion will begin as the hot favourite as the Matchroom supremo admitted.
“It’s a massive fight,” Hearn told punch-lines.
“I was looking at the odds and Josh is the outsider.
“Avanesyan is on fire and Josh has been a bit stop start, he had a draw at Madison Square Garden where he hurt his hand and his last win was all right, but it was more important to get the rounds in.
“This is a crunch test and, for Josh, the fight that makes him a star.
“Avanesyan is top 10 with all the governing bodies – if Josh wins he’ll virtually be top five with nearly every sanctioning body and will set him up to be a top star.”
He is star quality already, but he also would not lead all the opinion polls, given some of the comments on the 25-year-old on social media and the like.
So why does Hearn believe the unbeaten Sunderland is not top of the pops?
“His style, “ replied the promoter. “He’s also very handsome, some folk don’t like handsome people, I have that problem all the time!
“Josh looks a million dollars but he’s not flashy as a person, he’s quite a shy kid.
“But in the ring that’s how he performs, you love him or you hate him, but you will watch him and that’s Josh Kelly.”
The Adam Booth-trained talent has accumulated an 11-bout unbeaten record since turning pro following the 2016 Olympics.
Avanesyan is 31 but, as he’s proved over the past year, is far from over the hill, winning the European belt in Spain and then defending twice in the same country before you can say “Viva Espana”.
It all adds up to a fascinating clash in London on March 28, an event which was officially launched at a media conference at Glaizers Hall in London Bridge on Friday (pictured above).
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
