Kelly’s eye is on big fight glory at Vertu
TOP North East fighter Josh Kelly will headline a big night of professional boxing at Newcastle’s Vertu Motors Arena on Saturday, July 30.
Some of the region’s brightest boxing stars take to the ring at the home of Newcastle Eagles for the Wasserman Boxing Fight Night, which will also be shown live on Channel Five.
More than 3,000 are expected to take their seats at the Scotswood Road sports venue to see the action.
Kelly returns to the ring following an impressive stoppage victory over Peter Kramer in Liverpool last month.
The Sunderland boxer, who represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics and has held both Commonwealth and WBA international welterweight titles as a professional, will look to continue his world title pursuit against the tough Argentinian Lucas Bastida.
Kelly fights in the North East for the first time since his 2018 victory over Kris George at the Utilita Arena.
Known as ‘El Tonardo,’ Bastida, the current South American middleweight champion, is undefeated in his last 16 contests.
The 25-year-old from Buenos Aires looks set to provide Kelly with one of his toughest career tests so far when they square off in a 10-round super welterweight clash.
Kelly said: “He is a tough South American who has plenty of experience for a fighter who is 25.
“To only have one loss on his record shows how tough he is, there is no doubt he will e coming to win.
“He is someone who is going to give me the hard rounds I need to get back into the mix for big fights and major titles.
“It is very much the same from me, though – I am coming to show my class and I will be looking to take him out, 100%.”
Bastida said: “Josh Kelly has Olympic experience, he is a good boxer and very fast.
“I saw in his fight against Avanesyan he was knocked down, and then was stopped so I think the key to victory will be to go to war from the beginning of the fight.”
Joining Kelly in action will be former Geordie Shore star and MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers who having transitioned to boxing will make his second professional bout in front of his hometown fans in Newcastle.
He said: “I was happy with my debut. I thought I handled the pressure and remained calm.
“I feel like I can still do better. I could have had a higher output in the fight and be a lot more aggressive.
“The fans can expect more aggression from me in this fight.
“I was a little hasty on my debut but a calculated and aggressive fighter is what to expect.
“I don’t come to go the distance and if I can get a knockout win in Newcastle I know I will blow the roof off the place.”
Also on the card is Harlem Eubank, who will be looking to establish himself as the latest star name from his famous boxing family.
The nephew of British boxing legend Chris Eubank Snr and cousin of Chris Eubank Jr will face Liverpool’s
Tom Farrell in a hotly-anticipated super lightweight showdown.
Further fights are set to be announced soon which will feature some of the North East most exciting up-and-coming boxers.
Promoter Kalle Sauerland says he is delighted to be heading to Newcastle to stage another massive night boxing, showcasing local stars and re-establishing the city’s position on Britain’s boxing map.
He said: “Newcastle is known for its party atmosphere and we are excited to provide the entertainment for a crowd who love their boxing.
“They are passionate about their own and that will be no different when Josh returns to the North East.”
Tickets, priced £40, £80, £100 and £200, are on sale from the Newcastle Eagles Box Office at newcastleeagles.com/boxoffice.