Josh Kelly cranked up the noise for what’s shaping up to be a rip-roaring year, socking out a knockout that had his Sunderland fans hollering, all broadcasted live for the world on DAZN.
This 29-year-old sent Placido Ramirez packing in the third round at the chock-a-block Beacon of Light on Saturday. He delivered a skull-rattling uppercut that had his Colombian foe seeing stars and failing to play beat-the-clock with the ref.
After this win, Kelly’s queuing up for a swing at the IBO world super welterweight crown. But hold up, he’s not just stopping there. This ex-Olympian is also the top dog with the WBO and getting a nod from the IBF.
‘Pretty Boy’ Kelly’s itching for a scrap, eyeing some hefty domestic throwdowns with the likes of Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Junior. Post-KO, he’s puffing out his chest, ready to take on any and all challengers.
Our man Kelly to DAZN: “It was written in the stars! The town showed up, decked in Red and White. Everything rolled out just like a dream. I’m gunning for those heavy-hitting domestic tussles or a world title bout. You know the names – Eubank, Benn. I’m here, and after that kind of showstopper, let’s bring them to my turf.”
Kalle Sauerland, the big cheese at Wasserman Boxing, chimed in: “Josh catapulted Ramirez a couple inches off the mat with that whopper of a punch. Sure, he softened him up with the jab, but that uppercut? Pure cinema! He’s top of the heap, so 2024’s gonna be chock-full of blockbuster fights. Josh? He’s a promoter’s dream – just line ’em up, he says, and he’ll knock ’em down.”
Earlier on, at the Wasserman Boxing bash, courtesy of William Hill, Newcastle’s own Dan Toward cruised to a 2-0 pro record. He had Nikolas Dzurnak tasting the canvas and snagged a 60-53 points win.
And then there’s Tom Welland, another of Britain’s boxing hotshots. He clattered Yuri Zanoli in round one, kept the hammer down, and marched to a 60-53 points triumph.