Just over a month to go before this man climbs back into the ring.
Josh Kelly returns to action in London on Friday, May 13, when you can watch him for free on Channel 5, no subscriptions, no laptop needed, as he says “just turn on your TV”.
It will be a welcome sight and not because it’s not costing a penny – the 28-year-old has not thrown a shot in anger since February, 2021, when he lost his challenge for David Avanesyan’s European welterweight title at Wembley.
But now he’s back on the other side of London with a 10-round international test up at light-middleweight (or super welter if you prefer) against Xhuljo Vrenozi.
Not only is the Albanian a terrific triple word score in Scrabble, he is what Kelly hopes will be a hard test but one he can pass with flying colours.
His 29-year-old opponent, who has fought much of his career in Italy, has 18 wins against just four losses and, no surprise he is Albania’s number one at light-middle.
“He’s going to be tough and, to be honest, I want the rounds, I want a good stern test,” said Kelly, who is looking to be fighting for titles again by the end of 2022 or early 2023.
“My route has never been the easy way, I’ve always taken fights with pressure on them – from day one.
“I’ve never boxed anyone with a losing record and everyone I’ve boxed has been coming to win.
“By the end of this year or the start of next I want to be back in there again, boxing for big titles.
“I know I’m talented enough, so why not.”
Why not indeed. And he’ll be performing to an audience of millions rather than thousands.
“I’m buzzing to be on here, it’s going to be class,” he said.
It is his first contest for new management team Wasserman since his contract ended with Matchroom and the debut show for the company.
The Sunderland boxer said: “It’s terrestrial TV, it’s free, you’re not having to log in, just turn on your TV.
Asked about the prospects of fighting a Conor Benn or Kell Brook, he said: “A million per cent.
Click here to watch Josh Kelly’s full interview with Danny Flexen on Secondsout.com.
“I’m here to take the big fights after I get this fight out of the way.
“They are the names I’d jump in with, whether it’s Benn or Brook or anyone.”
Words: Roy Kelly
