Hearn wants Josh Kelly to fight Brandon Rios or Victor Ortiz next

[Enlightened-One]

"Hearn wants Josh Kelly to fight Brandon Rios or Victor Ortiz next"

Eddie Hearn is targeting former world champions Brandon Rios or Jessie Vargas as two guys that he’d like to match welterweight prospect Josh Kelly (7-0, 5 KOs) for his next fight following his 7th round stoppage victory over Commonwealth welterweight champion Kris George (14-2, 8 KOs) last Saturday night at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, UK.

The 2016 Olympian Kelly outclassed George through seven rounds in stopping him after he was pulled out by his corner due to injuries to both hands and a potential broken jaw. George hurt his hands hitting Kelly with hard shots on the top of his head as he would come forward.

“Josh Kelly is a genius and he’s a star,” Hearn said to Boxing Social. “He’s levels above the Commonwealth title, and he showed that tonight. The way that he dealt with the guy suggests he’s beyond even the British and European level.”

”I’d like to see Kelly fight an American name,” Hearn said.” I’d like to see Kelly fight Victor Ortiz or Brandon Rios or someone like that. Again, he’s had seven fights.”

Thoughts?

[BitPlayer]

Seem like decent steps forward.

You know Victor Ortiz is brilliant because even Chisora openly ducked him.

[Stuarty]

Rios would be good. He'd have a proper go and put Kelly under a bit of pressure. Would more than likely play into Kelly's hands but it's a decent step forward.

[thevamp]

I guess he want's the Mexican fans to learn who he is.

I guess it's a step up, but a win doesn't say much, just gets his name out there.

He might want to slow down a bit, because after those names.... he can't really turn back.

[world ranked]

I would rather have have a true step uo someone like Ugas or Jamal James or Devon Alexander someone with craft not just a faded tough guy with a name.

[lookingaround87]

I would rather have have a true step uo someone like Ugas or Jamal James or Devon Alexander someone with craft not just a faded tough guy with a name.

When has Ortiz ever been a tough guy? He quits at the first opportunity.

[world ranked]

I would rather have have a true step uo someone like Ugas or Jamal James or Devon Alexander someone with craft not just a faded tough guy with a name.

When has Ortiz ever been a tough guy? He quits at the first opportunity.

I thinking more of Rios when I said that either way the point stands the same. No faded name hopefully.

[SenorPipino]

Kelly only has 7 fights.

There's nothing wrong with him taking on faded former champions like Ortiz or Rios at this stage.

Hell, Rios gave Garcia a decent enough fight his last time out before succumbing.

And Ortiz battled to a draw with world ranked Alexander.

Fighting either of them is a huge step up for Kelly and gives fans the opportunity to compare his performance with that of a Garcia or Alexander.

It will give you a better idea where he stands currently.

It's the way boxing works.

[world ranked]

Kelly only has 7 fights.

There's nothing wrong with him taking on faded former champions like Ortiz or Rios at this stage.

Hell, Rios gave Garcia a decent enough fight his last time out before succumbing.

And Ortiz battled to a draw with world ranked Alexander.

Fighting either of them is a huge step up for Kelly and gives fans the opportunity to compare his performance with that of a Garcia or Alexander.

It will give you a better idea where he stands currently.

It's the way boxing works.

I dont want fights with a predetermine winner if your on TV. 90 percent of fights already are predetermine please give him a fighter who has a chance to win abeit small.

[SenorPipino]

Kelly only has 7 fights.

There's nothing wrong with him taking on faded former champions like Ortiz or Rios at this stage.

Hell, Rios gave Garcia a decent enough fight his last time out before succumbing.

And Ortiz battled to a draw with world ranked Alexander.

Fighting either of them is a huge step up for Kelly and gives fans the opportunity to compare his performance with that of a Garcia or Alexander.

It will give you a better idea where he stands currently.

It's the way boxing works.

I dont want fights with a predetermine winner if your on TV. 90 percent of fights already are predetermine please give him a fighter who has a chance to win abeit small.

Probably after just 7 fights, Hearn really isn't looking for a fighter who has any realistic hope of winning.

It's still the building stage.

I would think that Rios or Ortiz do have a small chance to win. Very small if they're actually being considered.

But both fighters are veterans who know how to win and probably won't crumble the first time they're hit.

They probably will even fight back for a while before deciding they've had enough.

That's what Hearn is looking for.

[world ranked]

Kelly only has 7 fights.

There's nothing wrong with him taking on faded former champions like Ortiz or Rios at this stage.

Hell, Rios gave Garcia a decent enough fight his last time out before succumbing.

And Ortiz battled to a draw with world ranked Alexander.

Fighting either of them is a huge step up for Kelly and gives fans the opportunity to compare his performance with that of a Garcia or Alexander.

It will give you a better idea where he stands currently.

It's the way boxing works.

I dont want fights with a predetermine winner if your on TV. 90 percent of fights already are predetermine please give him a fighter who has a chance to win abeit small.

Probably after just 7 fights, Hearn really isn't looking for a fighter who has any realistic hope of winning.

It's still the building stage.

I would think that Rios or Ortiz do have a small chance to win. Very small if they're actually being considered.

But both fighters are veterans who know how to win and probably won't crumble the first time they're hit.

They probably will even fight back for a while before deciding they've had enough.

That's what Hearn is looking for.