Undefeated British prospect Josh "Pretty Boy" Kelly (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBA International welterweight belt when he takes on Ray Robinson (24-3-1, 12 KOs) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, as part of the Anthony Joshua-Andy Ruiz Jr. undercard, live on DAZN. Sporting News sat down with the 25-year-old Sunderland, U.K. native who is climbing the rankings and causing a stir in the division.
Sporting News: You are defending your WBA International welterweight title against Philadelphia born southpaw Ray Robinson. What do you know about him?
Josh Kelly: He seems like a honest boxer who’s fought at the top level. He’s only been beaten three times by Brad Solomon, Shawn Porter and Yordenis Ugas, so he’s only lost to decent opponents and a draw against Egidijus Kavaliauskas, so he’s got a good resume. He’s a good, big southpaw. Seems like an awkward night, but it should be alright.
Join DAZN to watch Joshua vs. Ruiz Jr on June 1
SN: It will be your first time fighting in the U.S. and at Madison Square Garden. How much are you looking forward to stepping out at the Garden?
JK: I can’t wait. It’s sort of like a childhood dream. When I was young, I used to watch all the big fights shown late at night on TV — the likes of Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis and all the other big names that have fought in America. The Garden has been the Mecca of boxing for years, so fighting there is a dream ticked off. My other dream is to fight at the Stadium of Light (Sunderland A.F.C's stadium and Kelly’s favorite soccer team), but fighting at MSG is one dream ticked off.
SN: You’ve been called one of the hottest boxing talents in Britain. For those that may not have seen you fight before, how would you describe your fighting style?
JK: My style is the complete opposite of who I am outside of the ring. A lot of people relate boxing styles to personality, but mine is like a total switch. When I get the gloves on and start warming up in the changing room, I sort of go into a different character. I turn into a cocky, mad guy, which isn’t me. But it works on the night and sort of gives me the arrogance to pull off what I need to do.
I’m quite flashy, I can change style, I can put my hands up or go on the inside and work it. I’m a good boxer, but people get surprised by my strength when they get in the ring with me. When I started my boxing career, I was just a strong brawler when I was a kid, but I learned how to box, which added to my natural talent and I just progressed.
SN: What can the American fight fans watching on DAZN expect to see when you step into the ring on June 1?
JK: Expect some flashy stuff come June 1 and a lot of good, clean boxing. I don’t call fights, but I will get the win by any means necessary.
SN: The main event on the night is Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz Jr. How do you see that one going?
JK: Joshua wins. I just can’t see anything else apart from a Joshua win. I think Ruiz Jr. has fast hands, seems durable and looks like a decent opponent, but Joshua has fast hands and he’s taller, he’s got more strength and reach, which will play a massive part in it. Joshua is going to get the win and will probably stop him.
SN: The welterweight division is stacked with big names. How long do you feel it will be before we see you facing the likes of Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman?
JK: I’m moving up the rankings fast, but me personally, I think 18 months to two years at least before I step in the ring against the likes of them, unless world titles change hands. A couple of years ago you would have said Keith Thurman was the best, but I think he’s one of the weakest out the pack now because of his last performance against Josesito Lopez. It wasn’t the best performance I’ve seen. Obviously he’s had two years off and that could have played a massive part in it or it could be that he’s just getting older. Some of the other fighters might pick up injuries or move up a division and I get a title shot.
Manny Pacquiao still holds a title and he’s getting older and older. Shawn Porter is smaller and suits my style. But then you’ve got at the top-level, Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. — those two are well rounded and accomplished fighters you’d have to be on your top game to even make the fight competitive against them. But to beat them you’d have to pull something special out of the bag. But in two years, I would be 27 and starting to get into my prime age and the division could look completely different.
SN: Who in your opinion would you say is the best in the division?
JK: Personally, I would say Errol Spence Jr. because I just think he’s the biggest and strongest. Terence Crawford is technically better, but size would play a massive part if the two fight.
SN: Keith Thurman takes on Manny Pacquiao on July 20. Who do you feel wins that one?
JK: Logically I see Thurman winning because of the age and Pacquiao looked old the other day when he was pictured next to Thurman. You’d hedge your bets on Thurman, but Pacquiao has been the more active. If Thurman fights like he used to then you could say he would win. But if he fights like he did against Lopez then Pacquiao will get the win.