Sunderland boxer Josh Kelly has this message for David Avanesyan ahead of O2 Arena fight

Sunderland boxer Josh Kelly is aiming to prove his doubters wrong when he takes to the ring against David Avanesyan at the O2 Arena in London next month.
Josh Kelly (left) in action against Ray Robinson in the WBA International Welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden, New York.Josh Kelly (left) in action against Ray Robinson in the WBA International Welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden, New York.
Josh Kelly (left) in action against Ray Robinson in the WBA International Welterweight title fight at Madison Square Garden, New York.

The pair, who will fight on March 28th, were originally due to meet in December 2018 but Kelly was forced to pull out due to illness, which led to criticism from some quarters.

But now Kelly is determined to let his gloves do the talking ahead of the O2 Arena clash live on Sky Sports.

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The 25-year-old is looking to extend his unbeaten record in his 12th professional fight, with six of the previous 11 knockouts.

After taking part in the Olympics in Rio in 2016 the Ryhope fighter has had a significant rise to the Welterweight level over the last four years.

Tipped as an underdog for the upcoming Avanesyan fight, Kelly remains in a positive frame of mind.

He said: "It is what it is at the end of the day a fights a fight, all the talk that has gone on in the past it's always going to be their story, our story, but the main thing is we are fighting on the 28th and stepping in the ring that’s what it comes down to."

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Kelly also reflected on the difficult comments he’s been on the receiving end of on social media in the aftermath of pulling out of the original fight.

Social media is a platform to give anyone a voice so people with the voices come on social media and try to put people down.

"If you take note of that you can let it in your conscious mind and take that on board and let it affect you.

“But you can do the opposite thing, which is get off that stuff, get your head down, get on it in the gym and focus on what you are good at, come through train hard and do what you have got to do.”

His opponent 31-year-old Avanesyan comes into the fight with a lot more experience than the Wearside hopeful.

Now approaching his 31st fight, he has had 14 knock outs.