NXTGEN: Josh Kelly hopes to become a new boxing hero for the north east
Tuesday 8 August 2017 16:27, UK
Josh Kelly wants to become a new boxing hero for the north east as he attempts to boost his reputation on tonight's NXTGEN bill in Newcastle.
The talented 23-year-old can display his eye-catching skills when he takes on Tom Whitfield in a bill-topping fight, live on Sky Sports, with Anthony Fowler and Natasha Jonas also in action.
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Kelly has linked up with trainer Adam Booth, who recently guided Ryan Burnett to the IBF bantamweight title, and is eager to bring major fights to his local area.
"I just want to go from strength to strength and keep learning and growing, and I know that this time next year we could be back up in the north east in some big fights," said Kelly.
"There's lots of talented fighters up here and it's great to bring Sky Sports and NXTGEN up here to showcase that.
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"But you have to be selfish in this game and I'm in it for myself. I'm focusing on my journey and that's why I am down in Surrey with Adam Booth, because it's the best place for me to make the most of my career.
"Adam is a brilliant trainer. He picks everything apart and analyses everything, and explains it really clearly to get you to improve."
Kelly was originally due to appear on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's win over Wladimir Klitschko in April, but instead extended his unbeaten record with an impressive win over Jony Vina in Birmingham.
"I would love to have boxed at Wembley of course, but it was a big night for Joshua and a lot of the guys higher up the card," said Kelly.
"It was their show and that's what people went to watch, as I would have done if I'd been going as a fan. I shook it off quickly, got a good win a couple of weeks later in Birmingham and now headline up in the north east."
'Pretty Boy' is joined on the bill by fellow Team GB Rio Olympian Anthony Fowler, who faces Nikoloz Gvajava in his second pro outing, while Tasha Jonas makes her pro debut against Monika Atonik.
You can watch four fights from the NXTGEN bill on a live stream at skysports.com/boxing and Facebook from 6.45pm on Friday, and then watch Josh Kelly, Anthony Fowler and Natasha Jonas live on Sky Sports 2 from 9pm.
