Where Sunderland hero Josh Kelly might turn for his next fight? Options assessed
Where Sunderland hero Josh Kelly might turn for his next fight? Options assessed
In association with online affiliate experts casino.org we spoke to Sporting Life and DAZN News boxing analyst, Chris Oliver, to analyse where local hope Josh Kelly might turn for his next fight; potentially at the Stadium of Light.
Josh Kelly is on top of the world after picking up the IBF light middleweight title with his thrilling victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev in Newcastle at the end of January. Nobody wanted to fight the unbeaten Russian, but Kelly put on a brilliant display of fleet-footed boxing to claim a famous split decision success, even overcoming a knockdown along the way.
Now that he has a belt around his waist, there are plenty of big fights out there for the Sunderland man and his next move could be a lucrative one. Let’s take a look at who Britain’s newest world champion could face next. All odds are hypothetical, using expertise from a boxing analyst. This market cannot be staked via casino.org
Bakhram Murtazaliev 2/1 – 50%
The Russian has lodged an appeal following the narrow split decision loss to Kelly in the hope of the IBF forcing a rematch and another contest between the pair would come as no surprise. It was an entertaining fight and if they were to do it again, then it would surely be in a bigger venue this time and worth more money for Kelly.
Conor Benn 11/4 - 26.67%
The pair were heavily linked to a fight when they were both rising prospects at welterweight and while a lot has happened since, there is still a rivalry simmering between them. Benn is hot property right now following his rematch victory over Chris Eubank Jr at middleweight and although he has said he will go back down to welterweight next, light middleweight against Kelly may make more appeal with a world title on the line. This would be Kelly’s most lucrative opponent and it would fill a stadium in the UK.
Xander Zayas 5/1 – 20%
One of the brightest prospects in boxing, the 23-year-old added the WBA title to his WBO strap with a split decision victory over Abass Baraou on the same night Kelly fought Murtazaliev. The opportunity to unify the belts would make plenty of appeal to Kelly and it would be another good pay day for him.
Sebastian Fundora 7/1 - 14.29%
Currently the WBC light middleweight champion after stopping Tim Tszyu in their rematch last summer, Fundora takes on Keith Thurman in March and, if he comes through that, a unification match with Kelly would make a lot of sense.
Bakary Samake 10/1 – 10%
If Kelly is allowed a voluntary defence then the number eight-ranked Samake could fit the bill as a fellow European. The 22-year-old Frenchman is unbeaten in 19 outings as a professional and impressed when stopping the previously unbeaten Alejandro Ortiz in five rounds in October.
Keith Thurman 33/1 – 3.03%
If the former welterweight champion takes the WBC light middleweight belt from Sebastian Fundora in March, then the chance to unify a couple of belts against Kelly could well be a serious option.
Jaron Ennis 33/1 – 3.03%
Unbeaten in 35 fights, the former welterweight champion registered a first-round stoppage on his light middleweight debut and would be a massive fight for Kelly. However, it may be the toughest fight at the weight for Kelly and Ennis is expected to fight Vergil Ortiz Jr next.