In at the deep end, or about to be exposed for a shallow approach?
The two sides of the argument ahead of the fascinating Josh Kelly v Ishmael Davis clash at Wembley as part of Riyadh Season.
The all-Northern England 12-rounder at middleweight is a gem on the undercard of Saturday night’s ‘Battle of Britain’ world heavyweight title showdown between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua.
Kelly believes that Davis has been “tossed in at the deep end” following his agreement to step in as a sub for Liverpool’s Liam Smith who was forced to pull out because of a virus.
Davis, meanwhile, has accused the Sunderland star of “overlooking” him and taking a win for granted.
Purely on bare numbers, there would appear little between the pair.
Kelly is 30, Davis is 29, Josh’s record is 15-1-1 with eight stoppages while Ishmael’s fight log is a perfect 13-0 with six early nights.
It would not be unfair to say ‘Pretty Boy’ has performed at a higher level – this will be his 12th contest at 10 or 12 rounds.
On the flip side, the ‘Black Panther’ has done the 12 just once, earlier this year in Sheffield where he outpointed Troy Williamson in a British light-middleweight championship eliminator.
And the Darlington star is the only real point of comparison.
Davis took the unanimous verdict by 116-112 (twice) and 117-111. Thirteen months earlier, Kelly put on a masterclass against ‘Trojan’, taking his British title by a wide margin in Newcastle, 119-111, 118-110 and 119-109.
I believe he is going to bring exactly what Liam Smith was going to bring, but the big difference is that Liam is world class,” argued Kelly.
“If you put our styles and boxing ability, side by side, I believe you will see that Ishmael has been tossed in at the deep end.
“When it comes to crunch time, the big crowd, it’s going to come on top of him real quick.
“He hasn’t got the power for me to respect him and for him to want to stand and trade.
“He fought Troy Williamson and didn’t have him hurt once.”
Davis sees things differently, especially regarding the respective Williamson bouts.
“I feel like I did a better job on Troy than Josh did,” the Leeds switch-hitter told Boxing News.
”[Josh] was just hitting and moving but I busted Troy up and that’s what I’m here for – a real fight.
“So, hopefully he comes for it and we can give the fans a proper fight.”
He feels the world-rated Adam Booth-trained talent is taking him lightly.
“I am the most progressive British boxer and you are overlooking me,” he stated. “On Saturday, you are going to be in hell.”
Kelly will have only heaven in his mind.
The 2016 Olympian has been a boxer reborn since his only career defeat just a couple of hundred metres away from Saturday night’s venue – losing his European welterweight title challenge against David Avanesyan in February 2021 at Wembley Arena.
Since then he has clocked up five straight wins – in Liverpool, Newcastle (3) and Sunderland and established himself in the top 10 of two world sanctioning bodies.
This is NOT the fight he was expecting or wanting but it is a huge stage and possibly a prelude to a world title tilt.
“This is the shop window and it’s time for me to put a show on,” he told Boxing News. “This is what I’m here for – the big nights and I come alive when the lights go on.
“It’ll be a special performance.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom Boxing
