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Josh Kelly’s Journey: From Setbacks to Middleweight Showdown
Josh Kelly has navigated a challenging path in his boxing career, marked by significant obstacles and personal trials. Following a pivotal stoppage loss to David Avanesyan, Kelly found himself at a crossroads, requiring a series of impressive victories to reestablish his standing in the sport.
Moreover, the physical demands of cutting weight have taken a toll on his well-being. He has pushed both his body and mind to the limits, often suffering in the process. “At 147lbs, it was hard,” Kelly shared with Sky Sports. “Even if I’d go out and eat clean, I’d still blow up to around 175lbs. The question haunted me: How can I make this weight anymore?”
Kelly recounted grueling experiences of cutting weight, stating, “I’d come down to maybe 161lbs and then boil down to 147 over one night. It was just crazy. Fifteen or 16lbs was the most I lost in one sitting, which was incredibly tough.” He described the physical exhaustion, revealing, “I had to be carried off the bed, and when I stood on the scale to weigh in, I couldn’t even see my opponent. I thought, ‘I don’t even know where I am.’ And then it’s time to fight 10 or 12 rounds.”
In a harrowing moment, he reflected on an episode where he feared for his life. “I thought I was having a heart attack in the bath. I could see my heartbeat falter, and I panicked thinking, ‘I can’t make weight.’”
Kelly is set to face Liam Smith at the middleweight division on the undercard of the highly anticipated Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois event at Wembley Stadium on September 21, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Box Office. This bout marks a significant step up, as Kelly has primarily fought at lower weight classes in the past.
Liam Smith, hailing from Liverpool, comes into the fight with extensive experience, having boxed at 160lbs recently, including bouts against well-known fighters like Chris Eubank Jr. Smith’s aggressive style is coupled with astute boxing intelligence, making him a formidable opponent.
Despite the challenges, Kelly sees this as an opportunity to demonstrate his resilience and skills. “Some think I lack grit, that I tire easily,” he remarked. “I want to take this to the late rounds and show what I’m capable of.”
He feels he is now in a position to confront those who doubt his abilities. “I believe I’ve developed the strength to challenge anyone,” Kelly stated, emphasizing that his struggles have largely been mental rather than physical. “In hindsight, I’ve built one of the strongest mindsets through what I’ve endured. What people don’t realize is that fighting now feels like just another day for me.”
Catch the match between Liam Smith and Josh Kelly on the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois card, live on Sky Sports Box Office on September 21.
Source
www.skysports.com