New pro Kelly ready for North East debut

SunderlandOlympianJosh Kelly will box in the North East for the first time since turning professional next month – up against South Shields’ Tom Whitfield.

The pair top the bill in the latest JD NXTGEN show at the Walker Activity Dome on Friday, June 23, shown live on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Facebook.

Kelly has enjoyed a great start in the pro ranks, landing a stoppage win in Birmingham with a clinical display against Spain’s Jony Vina last weekend to add to his debut victory over Jay Byrne in Glasgow last month.

The 23-year old, based in Surrey with top trainer Adam Booth, said: “This is going to be brilliant and I’m so happy to be fighting in the North East.

“It’s going to be a great night for the fans and I’m buzzing to be topping the bill with some great fighters.”

Whitfield has lost only once in five bouts, a challenge for the Northern Area title last October.

The bill also features former IBF world champion Stuart Hall, Bradley Saunders, back after a 20-month absence with hand trouble, Hetton’s unbeaten supermiddleweight Jordan King and Sunderland prospect Warren Baister.

Tickets are on sale now, priced from £30 to £100 on www.matchroomboxing. com

Meanwhile, West Rainton fighter Martin Ward’s European super-bantamweight championship clash with Barcelona’s Abigail Medina will take place at Hartlepool Borough Hall on Friday, July 21.

Coach Neil Fannan said of the venue: “There is not a place anywhere that comes close to matching this – the atmosphere, the noise, everything about it is perfect.

“Medina is a very good opponent so we know it’s going to be a challenge.

“But Martin is good himself, so it’s a challenge we are looking forward to.”

Medina has lost only three times in 22 bouts, the 28-year-old winning eight times inside the distance. Ward, one year his senior, has 25 wins and a draw on his 29-fight record.