"Once that first bell goes, I'm the most confident person ever, but before that I'm a fighter full of nerves"
Friday 8 December 2017 19:28, UK
York Hall is the next step for Josh Kelly as his meteoric rise in the sweet science goes from strength to strength, but it is an American venue across the pond that the 23-year-old, aptly named 'Pretty Boy', has set his sights on.
"Madison Square Garden, that's my dream," he tells Sky Sports in an exclusive interview. "To one day get that opportunity would be amazing, I'm determined to make it happen."
A Rio 2016 Olympian, Kelly admits that things are coming far sooner than expected after just eight months in the professional format but, under the tutelage of Adam Booth, his transition into the paid ranks has been a smooth and eye-catching one - four wins from four, three highlight-reel knockouts to date and an ever-growing hype that centres on the Sunderland welterweight.
I'm not looking anywhere but the top, that's where the cream rises to. I look at Errol Spence Jr, Keith Thurman and Amir Khan and I want to be alongside those names, we're confident we can get there.
Kelly takes on experienced Frenchman Jean Michel Hamilcaro over 10 rounds of action this Wednesday, live on Sky Sports, and the North East star is determined to finish the year on a high.
"The year has gone perfectly for me," the 23-year-old reflects. "Adam has brought me through better than I could have ever wished for.
"I've progressed so much in the fights I've had and all the boxers I've faced have had a winning record, they've never just come to lie down and that's what I want.
"Now, I face another step up again and it's my first 10 rounder, but that's no problem. I'm doing 15 rounds in the gym all the time against fresh, hungry lads so I'm looking forward to putting in a performance."
It is in Kelly's flamboyant, fan-friendly style in the ring that the emerging prospect feels he sometimes get misjudged on. "People assume I'm this confident, almost arrogant character," he goes on. "But it's far from the truth.
"Outside the ring I keep myself to myself and really do live a very simple life, I hardly ever go out. That confidence just comes out when I get in the ring, you could call it a bit of a split personality.
"I know my style is flashy, but that's just how it is. It makes me the most awkward opponent I can be and so far it is working well so I can only be happy with that.
"I understand the perception people get and I would probably be the same, but really it's not like that, I actually get a lot of nerves before a fight, the pressure to perform, for me, is the hardest part of my job.
"I know I could play safe and grind out a win, sitting behind the jab, but that's just not me. People are paying to come and watch me box so the least I can do is put on a show, that's why I have this inbuilt feeling that I have to be at my very best."
It is within a familiar close-knit boxing gym set-up that Kelly feels most at ease, the day to day grind is all he knows, he says.
Trainer Booth watches over his career and meticulously plans every detail of his young protégé's journey to the top. "Adam," Kelly freely concedes, "is what keeps him grounded more than anything else.
"I know Adam has my best interests at heart. Me and Ryan [Burnett] live at his house during the week when training so we're all, along with the other lads in the gym, very close.
"Adam doesn't leave a stone unturned, whether it's in the gym or on the track, we know we have a job to do and with Adam watching over, there's no soft touch. It's the perfect environment for me.
"Adam believes in me, he is certain that I can go all the way to the top. I can be quite unsure of myself sometimes, but Adam almost acts as my confidence, he probably knows me better than I know myself."
Without overlooking Wednesday's test, 'Pretty Boy' realises that 2018 could be a huge year for him. Initial talks about him headlining a show in Newcastle have already been held while a maiden title will surely be just around the corner.
Kelly though is not getting carried away.
"I vigilantly study my rivals at all levels," he says. "I can't take my eyes off the ball, as long as I'm focussed and living the life the rest will fall into the place.
"I could be headlining in Newcastle early next year so that would be great and if I can get a British title shot, it'd be another great year for me.
I would love to head stateside to fight, that would be on another level. The American fans love a flashy style full of flair so I'm sure they'd want me back if I did get the opportunity.
"I'm not looking anywhere but the top, that's where the cream rises to. I look at Errol Spence Jr, Keith Thurman and Amir Khan and I want to be alongside those names, we're confident we can get there."
With Kelly's promoter Eddie Hearn's recent venture into the American market, the 23-year-old is hopeful that it will open doors for him and allow him to realise yet more dreams that he harbours.
"I would love to head stateside to fight, that would be on another level. When Eddie next gets a big show out there, I'll be straight on the phone to him," Kelly adds.
"The American fans love a flashy style full of flair so I'm sure they'd want me back if I did get the opportunity. I already have fans out there asking for me to come over, so hopefully next year, something will materialise.
"It's all happening both here and in the USA, the two places are almost bouncing off each other when it comes to boxing. I'm determined to make it to the top, I want world titles and I want to be fighting in big stadiums and arenas.
"Madison Square Garden is the dream. For now though I'm staying grounded and it's York Hall this Wednesday, let's just take things one step at a time."
You can watch Katie Taylor against Jessica McCaskill, Martin J Ward versus Juli Giner and Conor Benn, Lawrence Okolie, Josh Kelly and Joe Cordina in action at York Hall live from 6pm this Wednesday on Sky Sports Action.
