It all seems to have gone a bit quiet on the Damaen Kelly front. He had that good win against Jason Booth last year and there was talk of a rematch but I have heard nothing since.
I've always liked Kelly and he is one of my favourite active UK fighters but he is getting on a bit in years for a Flyweight so I was expecting him to be more active this year and grab a few last good paydays and have one more shot at a major title.
Thompson is 40 something so I expect to only be looking for the big fights now (high earners).
I'd imagine it is hard for Kelly to get fights, he's not a big enough name for the champs to want to defend against him and I suppose at 30 is only looking for the big fights himself.
It might be a wise thing for him to base himself in the US and try and get the large Irish contingent to back him there.
Carl is a war torn veteran who will be waiting for a big payday, and nothing less, before stepping in the ring again (I would imagine). He's been a great fighter and the Haye exposure would be a good note to go out in, should he decide that. Would hate to see him 'come back' and be battered in 8 rounds of a one-sided fight.
A Johnny Nelson rematch would no doubt get him working hard, but a loss there would be very hard to swallow.
I think Carl deserves a world title chance and should go for it. Without intentionally sound wrong or cruel, I wouldn't mind seeing Carl fight for a geniune belt, even if the end result is the battering.
I know that doesn't sound like a good reward for his 2004 endevours, but he deserves the opportunity should he want it. It would be better to see that than him lose to a fellow contendor or a young hopeful.
That would be a good idea for Kelly to base himself in the US - a title shot would definately come easier... but there is a pretty handy looking bunch at super-fly right now (was just looking at the list). I damn well missed Kelly's last fight (heard it was controversial), how did you score it Stu?
As for the Cat: I don't think anyone would dispute Carl deserves a shot at a genuine belt against a proven titlist. If he does go down that route, in my opinion, he should eye the winner of Rothmann - O'Neil Bell. Very winnable.
I wouldn't say it was exactly controversial but the scoring was a lot wider than it should have been, if i remember correctly i thought Kelly won it on his better Boxing while Booth came forward well but wasn't so effective.
stujones wrote:It might be a wise thing for him to base himself in the US and try and get the large Irish contingent to back him there.
Maybe a few years ago that may have worked but do you really think Kelly now has the time to do that?
True, but nothing is happening over here either. I think two/three US fights to show he is world class and he could fight for a world title on the undercard of some big PPV.
