Josh Kelly lined up for British title eliminator '“ as Glenn Foot's wait for rematch goes on

Kelly is next in action next month when he headlines a massive night of boxing at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena.

He takes on Kris George for the Commonwealth title, as well as putting his recently acquired WBA International title on the line against the Australian on June 16.

Should he win, as expected, it will be interesting to see where trainer Adam Booth and promoter Eddie Hearn take Kelly next.

A shot at Bradley Skeete’s title could well be on the cards, with the BBBofC also ordering Gary Corcoran v Paddy Gallagher as a second eliminator, with this bout already scheduled for June 30.

Down at light welterweight, fellow Sunderland boxer Glenn Foot’s wait for a rematch with Guisborough’s Josh Leather goes on.

The Marley Pots fighter was expected to take on the Teessider imminently, but Leather has accepted a fight with Ohara Davies on June 23.

Purse bids for the fight were expected this week but the BBBofC have issued the following statement: “Following a request for a one-month postponement, the stewards decided to put out the above contest to purse bids to be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions attached to the board’s head office by noon on Wednesday, 13th June 2018, the contest to take place by the end of September 2018.”

Foot was beaten by Leather in an IBF European strap contest in November in Newcastle in a highly controversial points decision, with all three judges scoring against the Sunderland man.

Leather v Foot mark two would be for the vacant British title, which was dropped by Jack Cattterall recently.

Meanwhile, West Rainton fighting brothers Martin Ward and Tommy Ward have this week been given fight dates.

Elder brother Martin will fight on the massive Josh Kelly and Lewis Ritson topped bill at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on June 16.

He has not boxed since a failed European title attempt, in which he was stopped in two rounds by Spaniard Abigail Medina.

Younger brother Tommy, promoted by Frank Warren, has been frustrated in his attempts to take on James Dickens for a second time, having beaten him for the super bantamweight British title back in May last year.

But a date and venue has finally been set, with the bout set to take place on July 27 at Houghton’s Rainton Meadows Arena.