TRAINER Adam Booth hopes that in Josh Kelly’s next fight the public see what he has witnessed in the gym for many years now.
Kelly 13-1-1 (7) kicks off his 2023 on June 24 when he fights unbeaten Gabriel Alberto Corzo 18-0 (3) at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle. The evening not only represents Kelly’s debut on DAZN but a chance to see his continued progression since making his comeback in June 2022 after losing to David Avanesyan in February 2021.
In 12 months the super-welterweight has picked up three wins in three fights and last time out the 29-year-old became the British champion by beating Troy Williamson. Many had predicted a win for Williamson but it was Kelly who shone on the night outclassing his opponent.
“All I ever want is for people to see on fight night is what I’ve been seeing in the gym since 2016-2017 and he’s starting to show that more and more,” Kelly’s trainer Adam Booth told Boxing News.
“He’s got stuff that you can’t teach. He’s maturing as a man, as a fighter in every sense technically, mentally, physically. He’s going to start to express himself.
“I think the Troy fight was a good performance, but I still know how much more he’s got in him. I think that’s going to start to show out each and every fight.”
Kelly will face South American opposition, more specifically Argentinian, for a third time in his career when he takes on Corzo in three weeks. On the previous two occasions Kelly received a respectable challenge from Lucas Bastida in a fight that went the 10-round distance 11 months ago. In 2018 the Briton needed just one round to dispose of Walter Castillo.
“These South Americans, they’re tough,” said Booth.
“When they’re unbeaten they’ve got pride and you saw that with Bastida that took Josh 10 rounds.
“Even if they’ve got no answers to what’s in front of them and they’re getting hit regularly they keep trying. That’s what I hope he brings because I think the more you try with Josh the better, he performs so I’m hoping that Corzo brings the best version of himself.”
