New opponent? No problem. Big-puncher? Also no problem. That’s the outlook of Josh Kelly, who is relishing the prospect of putting on a show to beat dangerous substitute Placido Ramirez on his return home this week.
Sunderland is the venue on Saturday night to the city’s most gifted pugilist.
Kelly has boxed in many a city since leaving behind an illustrious amateur career – Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Belfast, Birmingham, Manchester and New York but not in his favourite place. Until now.
The 29-year-old had been scheduled to face fellow world-rated light-middleweight Roarke Knapp, a South African who claimed Wearside heritage himself. We may find out if that is true further down the line, who knows, but injury ruled out a Sunderland derby.
Knapp, as the champion of Africa, was bringing an impressive record, particularly on the stoppage front.
So too does his replacement at the Beacon of Light.
Ramirez might not compare to Roarke’s rankings of 11 (IBF) and 13 (WBC), but his KO stats are bang on, if you pardon the pun.
The South American, like Knapp, has a 70 per cent stoppage ratio, having halted 17 of his victims.
Much of his fighting has been done in his native Colombia, where he is a former national champion, while he made an unsuccessful challenge for a WBC Americas continental belt in Mexico in 2020.
He boasts a 24-3 fight log, with Kelly’s record reading 14-1-1, with seven of the wins coming early.
“His record suggests he can punch , but he’s got to hit me first,” Kelly told punch-lines.
“It’s one thing saying he can bang, but if he can’t land a punch it doesn’t matter.
“Troy Williamson can hit but never really got near me.
“Normally the hard shots come when a fighter is able to plant his feet on the floor.
“But if I’m on the move then he’s not going to be able to do that and won’t connect with his hardest shots.”
Kelly’s own stoppage percentage is hardly shabby, having clinched half inside the distance.
“The power is there, it’s just a question of intent, whether I want to hurt them or not,” he explained. “When I beat Troy I think I might have had the chance of stopping him but I didn’t want to risk it in case I blew myself out.
“I think you will see more of the hurtful stuff come out in my next fights.”
Victory should move Kelly closer to some big nights, with Kalle Sauerland, the Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman Boxing, saying that “2024 is gearing up to be Josh Kelly’s year”.
There is further local interest at the Beacon of Light courtesy of Travis Waters, the former Sunderland ABC star who is now boxing out of the Tenacity team of Anth Kelly and John Stubbs.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
