British boxer Josh Kelly has issued a direct challenge to fellow fighters Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr.
Eubank previously faced Benn in a high-profile contest in April, which Eubank won over twelve rounds.
Although a rematch is planned, the first bout was marked by weight difficulties. Eubank, 35, needed hospital care post-fight due to severe dehydration, having barely missed the 160lb middleweight limit (by 0.05lb), incurring a significant £375,000 penalty and a 10lb rehydration restriction. Benn also had to move up considerably in weight from his usual 147lb welterweight division.
Kelly, who competes at 154lb super-welterweight, indicated his readiness to either welcome Benn into his division or move up to challenge Eubank.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Kelly expressed strong confidence: “I reckon I’d knock Conor Benn out, or at the very least completely outbox him, and I genuinely believe I could totally outclass Eubank. I doubt Eubank would want to fight me at all. I think a fight with Conor Benn is a more realistic possibility. If he’s finding it tough to make 147 anymore, I’m the top guy at 154.”
Kelly even stated he would readily agree to a 157lb catchweight bout against Benn: “In a heartbeat. There wouldn’t even be a moment of hesitation. It would just be an immediate ‘Yes, sign it, let’s get it done.’”
The 31-year-old Kelly is set to fight Flavius Biea in Newcastle this Friday, but he openly targets lucrative matchups, specifically mentioning the 28-year-old Benn.
He commented on the business aspect of the sport: “Conor is very shrewd when it comes to promoting himself. I should perhaps learn from his approach. Maybe I should start calling out everyone. I should simply declare that I’m only interested in fighting opponents who will bring in the most money.”
Oliver Croft