.png)
Josh Kelly electrified his hometown crowd in Sunderland with a spectacular performance that could pave the way for a monumental year in his career. The 29-year-old boxer delivered a swift knockout against Placido Ramirez in the third round at a sold-out Beacon of Light, leaving his Colombian opponent unable to continue after a powerful uppercut.
Kelly's emphatic win has positioned him as the next contender for the IBO world super welterweight title, while also maintaining his status as the top contender for the WBO and highly ranked by the IBF. The victory has set the stage for potential high-profile clashes with domestic rivals like Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Junior, as Kelly aims to make a mark on the international boxing scene.
Reflecting on his victory, Kelly expressed his satisfaction with the outcome and his desire for significant matchups in the near future.
"It was meant to be. The city turned out, and the place was red and white tonight. Everything went smoothly," Kelly remarked to DAZN. "I want those big domestic fights or a world title fight. You all know the names I want - Eubank and Benn - I am here, and after that sort of performance, let's get them down here."
Kalle Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman, praised Kelly's remarkable
performance, highlighting his potential for major fights in 2024.
"Josh took Ramirez two inches off the floor with that punch. He set him up with the jab, but that uppercut was a showreel knockout," Sauerland commented. "Josh is the easiest guy to promote; he doesn't care who he fights, he just wants me to rack them up."
The event also showcased other rising talents in British boxing, with Newcastle's Dan Toward securing a convincing win to move to 2-0 as a professional, while Tom Welland impressed with a dominant performance against Yuri Zanoli, securing a comprehensive victory after flooring his opponent in the opening round.
Follow fight.tv for all the latest news and updates from the world of MMA.