Anyone thinking they had seen the last of Josh Kelly is going to have to think again.
The 27-year-old is back in the gym and back with the bit between his teeth as well as his gumshield.
It’s almost eight months since the gifted welterweight suffered a bloody sixth-round stoppage defeat to David Avanesyan for the relentless Russian machine’s European welterweight.
Sunderland set-backs at Wembley are not unknown but now it’s time for the comeback, which he hopes will come in December.
But his comeback will be minus the man who launched his professional career and who Christened him ‘Pretty Boy’.
Kelly has ended a five-year association with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom and has signed for Wasserman Boxing, one of the major players in the sport, but, crucially will remain on the Sky Sports platform.
“Eddie offered me a five-fight deal and it was a very good deal, but so too did Wasserman,” Kelly said in an interview with Boxing News.
“I felt their offer was the best for me. Every pro fight I’ve had has been on Sky Sports and, personally, being able to continue on Sky Sports was the big thing for me.
“Eddie has gone down the streaming route with DAZN and after weighing things up, I think this is the best move for me.
Click here for details about Boxing News and their full interview with Josh Kelly
“I’d like to thank Eddie and everyone at Matchroom but I’m starting a new chapter now and can’t wait to get going with Wasserman and Sky and get back on track.
“I’m hoping to fight on the undercard of a Chris Eubank show in December – that wouldn’t be a bad place to start again, would it?”
Wasserman is the new home of the Sauerland brothers, Kalle and Nisse, the Germans behind the Klitschko brothers and the World Boxing Super Series.
Their track record in the sport is clearly top-notch and Kelly, who will still be trained by Adam Booth, still has his sights set firmly on world glory.
“My ambition has not changed,” said the 2016 Olympian, who is planning on moving up to light-middleweight or super-welter in ‘new money’.
“I still dream of bringing a world title to Sunderland and I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring.”
The smile is back on his face too after returning to the Boxing Booth.
“I’m so happy to be back in training, I just need to get some weight off now,” he told Boxing News, adding that he has had the gloves on already. “I love sparring, I spar all the time, it’s my favourite part of training.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
