THERE COULD BE FIREWORKS
JOSH KELLY INSISTS THAT IF DAVID AVANESYAN IS UP FOR THE FIGHT - HE WILL BE READY AND WAITING
Sunderland boxing superstar Josh Kelly hopes David Avanesyan comes to fight - if so, the Commonwealth welterweight champion knows it will play right into his hands.
Kelly provides one of the main supports on a stacked card of boxing down in Sheffield tomorrow night, with Kell Brook against Michael Zerafa providing the main event.
And Kelly, back out after just four weeks rest, thinks there could be fireworks against the Russian former world title challenger.
“I feel Saturday night I want to go in there and put a performance on,” Kelly told Sky Sports.
“I need someone to come and really try to take my head off - that’s why I am here.
“When I get in the ring, a lot of people want to take my head off, because I look like an arrogant sort of guy, but I’ve got a switch when I go into the ring. I’m not the same guy outside as I am in.”
Kelly takes on experienced campaign Avanesyan, trained in Nottinghamshire by Carl Greaves, despite this being only his ninth professional bout.
Avanesyan went the full 12 rounds with Lamont Peterson, losing his WBA title challenge on points in 2017.
“It’s been four weeks since the last fight, so I’ve had a quick turnaround and I’m feeling fresh,” said Kelly, who last time out scored a KO of Walter Fabian Castillo in Manchester.
“If he comes to fight, it’s going to be a good night, and a night to enjoy.
“When this fight happens, when the decision gets made, then I think a lot of people will be surprised the way the fight has went.
“Stylistically I’m ready for this sort of fight. It’s the typical boxer against a fighter. If he comes to fight, it’s going to be a good night, and a night to enjoy.”
Meanwhile, Kell Brook has launched a verbal attack on Amir Khan as he prepares for tomorrow’s super-welterweight fight against Australian Michael Zerafa.
Yorkshireman Brook is frustrated at what he sees as Khan’s reluctance for a showdown between them to take place.
And he vented his feelings during a press conference in Sheffield ahead of a final eliminator for the WBA super-welterweight world title this weekend.
Instead of facing Brook, Khan has now been linked to taking on Terence Crawford - much to Brook’s annoyance.
“I’m doing everything I can for the fans, he has turned his back on them. Everyone knows it’s him that is running off,” Brook said, in comments reported by Sky Sports’ official website.
“Amir Khan is a con man, they should call him Amir ‘con’. This is his last big fight under Matchroom, and I thought it was nailed on.
“He shook my hand and looked me dead in the eye and said we would fight next. What can I do? I’ve bent over backwards.
“I want any elite fighter. I’ve got that buzz again. I want the top guys.
“In training, we are getting all the hard work done and having a good crack in between. Camp could not have gone any better. I’m raring to go.
“I am not interested in what Zerafa’s going to do, I am going to be 100 per cent. No man can deal with me on Saturday night. I’m very explosive and looking to put on a serious performance.”
Zerafa, though, has only lost twice during his professional career, and he is ready to take his opportunity against Brook at the Sheffield Arena.