“I want to fight at the Stadium of Light, that’s my dream.”
That was the reaction of Josh Kelly after becoming the British light-middleweight champion following on a Sunderland masterclass in Newcastle.
The 28-year-old dominated almost the entire 12 rounds against defending champ Troy Williamson for a unanimous points verdict.
In doing so, Kelly became the first Lonsdale Belt winner from Sunderland for over 27 years since Billy Hardy was Britain’s featherweight champion.
“I’m so proud to be British champion. Billy’s a legend in Sunderland and I’m so happy to be in the history books with him,” said the gifted Ryhope boxer.
“I want to fight at the Stadium of Light, that’s my dream.”
Victory should lift Kelly very much into world title reckoning, given ‘Trojan’ had been occupied sixth spot in the WBO ratings and eight with the IBF.
Kalle Sauerland, who promoted Friday night’s Channel 5-screened event, seemed somewhat reluctant to talk world titles in the aftermath of the former Olympian’s best professional win yet and wanted Josh to bask in British title glory.
But he did say: “As a promoter I’d be delighted to promote at the Stadium of Light, but we need the right fight, the right dance partner.”
On the very subject of dancing, Kelly did plenty of that, using his feet to perfection, as well as his hands of course.
‘Pretty Boy’ was brilliant from the first bell and jolted the 31-year-old with a right upper cut and left hook, punches which would score constantly for him throughout.
Williamson, to his credit, fought like the great and proud British champion he was, and never stopped coming forward.
But Josh’s speed and movement was too good, meaning Troy was never able to sustain any real attacks.
All three judges scored it with sizeable margins, Ron Kearney 119-111, Kieran McCann 118-110 and Kevin Parker 119-109.
Was it a faultless performance?
“I’d say so, pretty much,” he replied. “I was doing that for 15 rounds in the gym every day.
“I knew he’d be coming at me and we rehearsed it.
“In training I’d hit a pad once and go around and do that again and again constantly just to condition my legs so that I could go around and around the ring and not get tired.
“When you are punching as a boxer, you are either connecting or leaving yourself vulnerable.
“Every time Troy threw, he was leaving himself open so I didn’t need to punch that much, just punch when the time was right.
“When the time was right I picked the shots and felt I didn’t waste any energy.
“When I was younger I’d fly out and threw loads of shots. But that felt so good, I felt I was in the flow and I really enjoyed my boxing.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
