Kelly’s Stadium of Light dream lies in tatters after first defeat
Josh Kelly’s dream to fight at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light was left in tatters after he suffered defeat for the first time in his professional career against David Avanesyan on Saturday night.
The 26-year-old was stopped in the sixth round of his clash with the Russian Avanesyan for the European welterweight title, after trainer Adam Booth threw in the towel.
Kelly, a Sunderland fan, walked to the ring at Wembley Arena in London donning red and white robes, and was accompanied by a recording of Black Cats supporters chanting.
The 2016 Rio Olympian started the fight well and shook his opponent with a sharp left hook in round two, but Avanesyan cut Kelly's eye and started to ramp up the pressure.
A close third round was followed by some superb work by Kelly in the fourth.
TheRyhope-bornpuncher slipped a cluster of shots, had time to look at the referee and managed to pepper Avanesyan back.
But Avanesyan, who once defeated Hall of Fame fighter and three-weight world champion Shane Mosely, would not stop relentlessly walking Kelly down.
After a close fifth round, the pressure finally broke as Kelly was given a standing eight count, having touched down with both hands.
Seconds later and the fight
was over as the combinations to the body and head from Avanesyan continued.
Following criticism from Booth directed at Josh Warrington’s corner for leaving a featherweight in too long against Maurico Lara last week, Kelly’s team spared their bloodied man from further punishment and threw in the towel.
With potential future opponent Conor Benn watching on, the narrative post-fight was set up for a Kelly win.
Indeed, in the build-up to the clash, which had to be rearranged several times due to various circumstances, Kelly had repeatedly stated his desire to fight at the Stadium of Light in a big domestic clash against Benn.
Avanesyan, however, hadn’t read the script and is now set to enter the mix for a welterweight world title shot in a stacked division including Manny Pacquiao, Erroll Spence Jr, Terrance Crawford, Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia.
"Sometimes you come across a guy that will not be denied, that's too strong, that has the will beyond others and tonight that was David Avanesyan,” promoter Eddie
Hearn said after the fight.
"Josh Kelly was in the shape of his life but this man [Avanesyan] wouldn't be denied. He was too tough and he deserves his success.
"We saw a world-class welterweight against a really good prospect who I believe could be a world-class fighter, but he was out-hustled, outfought and as good as the start was you could see him unravelling. "Josh Kelly took the step up and should be applauded for that. He fought a worldclass fighter but he's a young man and can come again."
Avanesyan's British trainer Carl Greaves told Sky Sports: "I knew exactly how it was going to go - I've spent over five years with David, he finds a way every time. I was so confident in this fight."
Dan Robson views his twoyear wait for a first England start as a possible blessing as he continues to snap at the heels of first-choice scrumhalf Ben Youngs.
Eddie Jones’ overwhelming preference for Test centurion Youngs means he has started only four players in the position throughout his five-year reign, in the process restricting Robson to nine replacement appearances.
Even against Italy, by the far the weakest opponents in the Guinness Six Nations, Jones confined Robson to a bench role while leaving the promising Harry Randall out of the 23 altogether as Youngs amassed his 106th cap.
It is one of several selections that has invited criticism on to England’s head coach, but Robson believes the delay will ultimately prove beneficial.
“Looking back, you’re always wanting to start and thinking that you’re there,” said the Wasps half-back, who has impressed during his 55 minutes of action as a replacement in this year’s Six Nations.
“But in hindsight I’m definitely in a lot better position now than I was a couple of years ago when I first got in and around the squad.
“It’s hopefully going to be for the best. My game is probably in a better place now. Before I was maybe perceived as an impact player.
“It was obviously an easy out for me to be like ‘yep, that’s
fine, I’m in the England squad, I’ve achieved a lifelong goal. Two minutes off the bench, I’ll take that’.
“It’s pretty naive looking back but that’s the way it was for me. Now I’m in here again.”
Robson’s debut Six Nations was cut short by deep vein thrombosis, ending his hopes of appearing in the World Cup later that year.
“What happened with the injury a couple of years ago put a lot of perspective on things for me,” Robson said.
“I feel my game is in a better place, my head space is in a better place. I know that if I get the nod to start, I’ll really embrace that and do the shirt as proud as possible.
“As a finisher, we’ve been given that license to really add something, really try to change the game and that’s all
I’ve got to do.
“I have to keep working hard and if I get that opportunity to start I’ll enjoy that as well.”
Robson has spoken frequently to Jack Willis since his Wasps team-mate suffered a terrible knee injury against Italy that has left him facing a long spell in rehabilitation.
Starting with the roundthree appointment against Wales on Saturday, Robson insists Willis’ misfortune will drive England on as they look to retain their Six Nations crown.
“It was pretty horrifying. That moment he screamed out was probably the worst moment I have had in a long time on a rugby field. It was pretty devastating for him,” Robson said.
“He is a strong kid, Jack. He is mentally pretty resilient and physically he is a bit of a freak. I think he will definitely get through this.
“For us we just said straight away ‘let’s go out and finish it for him’. It will definitely be in the back of people’s minds, to get that extra bit of motivation if it’s needed, especially going down to Wales.”