Sunderland v Leeds at Wembley. One of the most amazing occasions in the history of sport.
Over half a century on from the mother of all FA Cup final upsets, Sunderland v Leeds is on again. This time in the boxing ring.
Sunderland star Josh Kelly is to fight Ishmael Davis, from Leeds, on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois show on Saturday, September 21.
Kelly had been due to take on Liam Smith in the Riyadh Season event in the capital, only for Liverpool’s former world champion to pull out at weekend with a virus.
Davis, whose fight log reads 13-0, was already in training in preparation for a fight in Manchester next month against Angola’s Uisma Lima and the unbeaten contender will be keen to seize his chance here.
The 29-year-old certainly has nothing to lose and everything to gain against a boxer seemingly on the cusp of something special – Kelly is rated at two with the WBO, five with the IBF and 11 in the WBC standings at light middle or super-welter if you prefer.
‘Pretty Boy’, having been primed to tuck into ‘Beefy’, now must tackle the dangerous ‘Black Panther’ and insists he is not fazed by a change of opponent.
“I just switched off to be honest,” said the talent known as ‘Pretty Boy’.
“As soon as the opponent thing happened, I just switched off. I have my phone to my team, switched off social media and locked in.
“Obviously I’m still on the card so I’m very grateful.
“I’m grateful for Ishmael taking the fight as well, so it’s all good.”
Davis is a boxer on the way up even though he is close to 30.
Kelly might, therefore, not be blessed with intimate knowledge of the man who outpointed Troy Williamson last time out in Sheffield.
The ‘Black Panther’ won on all three cards, 116-112 (twice) and 117-111 against ‘Trojan’ and Josh described him as a “solid guy”.
All eyes will be on the Wembley confrontation between Dubois and Joshua with the IBF heavyweight title on the line.
There is nothing at stake for Kelly but the former Commonwealth light welterweight champion will want to impress in front of over 90,000 fans and a large pay-per-view TV audience.
With only six bouts on the entire card put together by Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn there will be a desire to be the man that shines on the undercard.
“I’m fully prepared for the night and I can’t wait,” said Kelly, who is impressed by the stature of the Riyadh Season, which is being funded by Sam Arabia and, principally, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.
“I’m feeling blessed, grateful. Seeing the turnout, the UK do it properly man.
“I can’t wait to perform in front of these fans.
“It’s showtime.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
