Josh Kelly insists he has the utmost respect for “top grade” David Avanesyan, but says the European champion is tailor made for him.
The welterweight rivals meet on Saturday, January 30 at a venue to be announced, where the Russian will be putting his EBU crown on the line, along with his great array of world ranking numbers.
Eddie Hearn, the man who has managed and promoted the former Olympian he nicknamed ‘Pretty Boy’ to the cusp of world honours, has dubbed this an “absolute sink or swim” fight for the 26-year-old, saying “for every great Olympic prospect comes judgement day and this is it for Josh Kelly.”
A tad dramatic maybe, given one defeat will not wreck the unbeaten Sunderland star’s career, though victory would be a huge step forward.
Avanesyan represents his toughest hurdle yet, given the form the Russian has produced, ironically after the pair were originally due to lock horns in December 2018, only for the fight to fall through when Josh took ill.
The former WBA world champion, beaten on only three occasions in a 30-bout career, took the European belt by stopping undefeated Kerman Lejarraga in Bilbao in March 2019.
He returned to Spain to repeat the trick in even more emphatic style by ending the rematch in the first round.
And the 32-year-old completed his second defence also inside the first three minutes by blitzing Jose del Rio in Barcelona.
“I rate Ava, he’s a top grade lad,” declared Kelly. “He’s a strong, tough, come-forward fighter, with decent punch-power.
“He’s someone who wants to stand and box, apply non-stop pressure, but his style suits me all day.
“But in terms of skills, I’m not sure he comes near me.”
Confidence will not be an issue for Kelly though the long absence might be.
He has not fought for 12 months, a 10-round points win over Nicaraguan Wiston Campos in Phoenix though he says he was ready for the March 2020 show at the O2 which was called off because of the coronavirus outbreak.
It will be down to trainer Adam Booth to ensure he’s had the right quantity of rounds in the gym, as well as quality, but for the Matchroom star, he is optimistic.
“I rate Ava greatly and this is a massive step up for someone who has had the number of fights I’ve had,” said Kelly when he spoke to this reporter for an interview for Boxing News. “But it’s one I’m confident of winning.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Ed Mulholland/ Matchroom
