Olympian Josh Kelly faces Jay Byrne in first pro fight on Ricky Burns' bill
Wednesday 29 March 2017 20:26, UK
Josh Kelly will tackle Jay Byrne when he makes his professional debut on the undercard to Ricky Burns' world title unification clash in Glasgow next month, live on Sky Sports.
Sunderland welterweight Kelly is determined to impress in the paid ranks after suffering disappointment in the Rio Olympics last summer, where he lost to eventual goal medal winner Daniyar Yeleussinov in the last 16.
The 23-year-old has teamed up with trainer Adam Booth and is looking forward to fighting in front of the Sky Sports cameras SSE Hydro on April 15.
"I used to be a good fighter but not a boxer," said Kelly. "I was a chubby kid and I didn't have much movement but I used to just stand there and bomb them over. I was fat but fit, and that helped me lose the weight.
"I did well playing football too playing for Hartlepool and Sunderland but the turning point was when I won the junior ABAs the first time I was in them, I got to the final the year after and lost on a dodgy decision and then won them again. I won the seniors and got picked up by Team GB and never looked back.
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"I was unlucky to run into the eventual gold medal winner in Rio but I think that I'll prove that turning pro is the right move for me. I'm learning every day with Adam and I'm buzzing to be making my debut on such a huge night."
Byrne returns to the ring after his run of four straight runs came to an end when he lost a points' decision to Felix Cash at York Hall earlier this month.
Burns will top the bill in Glasgow when he puts his WBA world super-lightweight title on the line against IBF champion Julius Indongo.
Scotty Cardle looks to land the British lightweight title outright when he faces Robbie Barrett, Cardle's gym-mate Callum Johnson defends his Commonwealth light-heavyweight title against Schiller Hyppolite and Charlie Edwards and Iain Butcher clash for the vacant British super-flyweight title.
Kelly's Team GB teammate Lawrence Okolie boxes for the second time in the pros, Charlie Flynn fights for his first pro title as he faces Ryan Collins for the Celtic Lightweight title and Joe Ham takes on Scott McCormack for the Scottish super-bantamweight title.
