Josh Kelly vs. David Avanesyan - 20 February 2021

[Ruthless-RKO]

[bripez]

I can’t see this fight happening - if agreed I hope Kelly has to put Ava’s purse in a non refundable solicitors bank account in case he pulls out in the day of the fight like last time (but that won’t happen either, so I don’t know what I am going in about)

[keirw]

See no reason why it wouldn't happen. Provided Kelly wins next week, they were due to fight before and Kelly pulled out due to illness. It probably wasn't even his choice to pull out.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I can’t see this fight happening - if agreed I hope Kelly has to put Ava’s purse in a non refundable solicitors bank account in case he pulls out in the day of the fight like last time (but that won’t happen either, so I don’t know what I am going in about)

Putit in escrow

Like Parker's team did before they flew to UK to fight Hughie

[bripez]

Putit in escrow

Like Parker's team did before they flew to UK to fight Hughie

That’s the one.

The only problem is that the Fury’s were desperate to fight Parker as a weak world title holder, but I don’t think Kelly’s team want to take on Ava.

[Coco]

That’s the one.

The only problem is that the Fury’s were desperate to fight Parker as a weak world title holder, but I don’t think Kelly’s team want to take on Ava.

True but on the other hand it will show if they are serious or not. Put the money there at the start of camp, if it's not there you don't waste a camp, your time or your money.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Can see Matchroom signing Avanesyan after he beats Kelly.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Deal was agreed. No purse bid.

[Glass Joe]

I would avoid Avaneyan like the plague if I was manging kelly. Luther Clay/Benn against Kelly would be a decent scrap.

[margaret thatcher]

Nice fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

I would avoid Avaneyan like the plague if I was manging kelly. Luther Clay/Benn against Kelly would be a decent scrap.

Kelly avoided Ava 10 months ago.. Didn't want any of that did he.. Since then, Ava has beaten Kerman in Spain twice... and Kelly has split a draw which many thought he lost..

TBH, as good as the fight it, I'd rather Kelly give Robinson a rematch. With fair judging.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This will now headline its own card.

[knockout]

It’s a shame David knows he is gonna start the fight 3-4 points down and need a knockout to win

[margaret thatcher]

Josh can win if he doesn't fight like he's getting off to every f@cking feint and twitch and pose he does

[Stuarty]

Kelly will probably stink the place out and win a dubious contentious decision with Adam Smith growling 'Josh Kelly has arrrrrived' or something along they lines.

[Counter-puncher]

Kelly will probably stink the place out and win a dubious contentious decision with Adam Smith growling 'Josh Kelly has arrrrrived' or something along they lines.

[Nightmare Roy]

Kelly will probably stink the place out and win a dubious contentious decision with Adam Smith growling 'Josh Kelly has arrrrrived' or something along they lines.

[keithmoonhangover]

So many moaning, miserable, alleged boxing fans here on BoxRec. Not happy if a boxer is matched weakly, not happy if a boxer is matched strongly. And god forbid a promoter should try and sell a fight.

[knockout]

So many moaning, miserable, alleged boxing fans here on BoxRec. Not happy if a boxer is matched weakly, not happy if a boxer is matched strongly. And god forbid a promoter should try and sell a fight.

The majority of posters like the fight, myself included, but the bad taste after last time is still on people’s mind and the negativity from that respect is fair enough !

We all know Adam Booth likes absolutely all the odds to be stacked in his fighters favour and I believe he was still with Haye when he pulled out of the Charr fight I believe with a rather dubious injury when the fury fight looked more appealing ( allegedly )

And my comment about the fact that away fighters are regularly getting shafted by the judges on matchroom cards should be criticised!

[Ruthless-RKO]

It’s official that EBU welterweight champion David Avanesyan will be defending against Josh ‘Pretty Boy’ Kelly next in late March. Matchroom Boxing guru Eddie Hearn has revealed the news of the Avanesyan vs. Kelly being a done deal.

Hopefully, Kelly, 25, doesn’t get sick again. That would be a big disappointment if he can’t go through with the Avanesyan fight due to some kind of ailment.

Both fighters have signed the contract, and now it’s all about picking the exact date and venue. Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KOs) is coming into the Avanesyan fight in less than desirable conditions unfortunately. He’s looked remarkably poor in his last three contests against these fighters:

Przemyslaw Runowski (18-1, 4 KOs)
Wiston Campos (31-7-6, 19 KOs)
Ray Robinson (24-3-2, 12 KOs)

Kelly struggling against lower level opposition

The 2016 Olympian Kelly fought to a questionable 10 round draw against Ray Robinson on June 1 last year in New York. That’s a fight that Kelly was lucky to escape with a draw. Rather than take a rematch to clear up the controversy, Kelly fought journeyman Campos last December, and surprisingly struggled to defeat him by a 10 round decision.

Kelly won the fight by a 10 round unanimous decision, but Campos hurt him several times in the fight. Josh looked badly beaten around the face by the end of the fight, and he hardly looked like a winner. Kelly’s promoter Hearn is going to need to think of a career plan for him, because it’s apparent that he lacks the talent to make it to the upper level.

“End of March on monster show – both have signed ” said Hearn on his social media site.

Kelly fighting Avanesyan at the wrong time

Avanesyan, 31, is fighting at a high level right now with recent knockout wins over Kerman Lejarraga and Jose Del Rio. It’s unclear whether Avanesyan’s power has suddenly increased or if Lejarraga and De Rios lacked sturdy enough chins to withstand his power. It would be bad news for Kelly if Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KOs) is punching with more power.

If Kelly loses badly to Avanesyan, then Hearn needs to figure out a good exit strategy for him. Kelly can perhaps make good money fighting a domestic scrap against Conor Benn. Fans would want to see that, but it’s going to be difficult for him to make life changing money without him fighting for a world title at some point in a headline attraction.

[Stuarty]

Hope Avanesyan chins him after his dodgy pull out the last time. That was piss poor.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Hope Avanesyan chins him after his dodgy pull out the last time. That was piss poor.

Ever since that, Ava is the one that looks even more dangerous now compared to Kelly's recent outings.

[Stuarty]

Hope Avanesyan chins him after his dodgy pull out the last time. That was piss poor.

Ever since that, Ava is the one that looks even more dangerous now compared to Kelly's recent outings.

Deffo mate. 2 very good KO wins over that Lejarraga and Kelly was fortunate to get a draw against Robinson. I liked him at first and now he just bores me!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

David Avanesyan will defend his EBU European Welterweight Title against undefeated rising star Josh Kelly in a bitter grudge match at The O2 in London on Saturday March 28, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

The rivals were due to meet at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield back in December 2018 before an illness forced Kelly to withdraw from the contest on the morning of the fight, leading to “bottle job” jibes from Avanesyan’s manager Neil Marsh as bad blood boiled over between the camps.

Russia’s Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KOs) dealt with the disappointment by firmly establishing himself as ‘the man’ of the European Welterweight scene, ripping the 147lbs title from Bilbao’s Kerman Lejarraga on away soil in March before destroying him in the opening round of their September rematch.

The former World Champion made light work of Jose del Rio last time out in Barcelona, crushing the Spaniard in the opening round, and now finds himself on the cusp of another World Title shot should he inflict a first defeat on Kelly.

Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KOs), a Rio 2016 Olympian from Sunderland, outclassed the previously undefeated Pole Przemyslaw Runowski at The O2 in April last year before drawing with Przemyslaw Runowski two months later on his US debut in New York.

‘PBK’ decisioned Nicaragua’s Wiston Campos in his last outing in Phoenix to set up his long-awaited showdown with Avanesyan the North East talent is determined to silence his critics by producing a career-best win in April.

“It’s a good opportunity to silence the doubters,” said Kelly. “He is the favourite now. He has proved how good he is in the last three fights. It’s going to be a good fight, but one I’m quietly confident about.

“I do feel excited. I feel like this is a turning point in my career. If I win, when I win, then I take it to the next level. A lot in the future is lying on this fight.

“Two fights ago I fought Ray Robinson, which was a massive step-up. I don’t think people realised how big of a step-up that was, but now I’m fighting Avanesyan, I should get the credit I deserve.”

“I have unfinished business with Josh Kelly,” said Avanesyan. “I’m delighted the fight has finally been made and I will have a chance to inflict a first defeat on his professional career.

“As the British fans know, I will fight anyone anywhere and I determined to put a big show on for them in every fight as they treat me so well and I love them.

“After I deal with Kelly I want Eddie to deliver me a World Title shot so I can become a two-time World Champion and secure my family’s future.”

“This is just a brilliant fight – absolute sink or swim time,” said Eddie Hearn. “Avanesyan is a world class Welterweight who sits in the top 10 with every governing body but for every great Olympic prospect comes judgement day and this is it for Josh Kelly. The fight that could turn him into a real star and a legitimate World Title contender. It’s the ultimate stage, the ultimate test – don’t miss it.”

Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, said: “Josh Kelly is one of the hottest talents in British boxing – and now he gets the perfect platform to showcase his dazzling skills against David Avanesyan.

“We’ve followed Josh’s career since he’s turned professional, but this is a real acid test against the dangerous European Champion.

“Josh is part of a red-hot Welterweight division, brimming with big names, and we cannot wait to see PBK light up The O2 on March 28.”

Tickets are priced £40, £60, £100 and £200 (VIP).

Presale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Wednesday February 12 from The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk).

Fightpass tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Thursday February 13 from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

General Sale tickets will be available to purchase from midday on Friday February 14 from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), The O2 (www.theo2.co.uk) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Finally!! 14 months later..

Ever since the original was cancelled.

Kelly has done crap!!

Ava has been wicked!

Going into this now. I back Ava to win this 100%

Maybe even stop Kelly..

Can't rely on the judges here unless he wins every round.

Kelly has got to train for his toughest fight ever to date here. Got to be on his A game.