Josh Kelly Units Sights on WBO Champion Xander Zayas, Claiming He Can Beat the “Inexperienced” Fighter

Josh Kelly is up for the problem to face beginner WBO junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas if he’s given the chance to battle him subsequent. Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) is ranked #3 WBO, and one of many potential opponents that High Rank may choose for Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) to make his first protection of his WBO title.

Final month, Xander captured the vacant WBO 154-lb title, beating Jorge Garcia by a 12-round unanimous choice on July twenty sixth in New York Metropolis. Kelly believes that Xander received a “reward” by with the ability to battle Garcia for the vacant belt.

“I consider I’m the perfect in Britain. I’m the perfect in the meanwhile in my weight class [154]. I’m probably the greatest skills in Britain in the meanwhile. I simply want a breakout battle for considered one of these guys to take the battle to indicate myself,” mentioned Josh Kelly to talkSport Boxing. “I’m unsure,” mentioned Kelly when requested if he has to change into the WBO obligatory for 154-lb champion Xander Zayas to battle him.”

The UK isn’t nicely represented at 154 proper now. So, Kelly isn’t saying a lot when he claims he’s the perfect within the UK at 154. He ought to intention just a little larger than that. There are quite a lot of proficient fighters within the division that may see him as meals, however Xander isn’t considered one of them. He’s simply the weakest hyperlink among the many champions at junior middleweight. Most, if not all, of the highest 5 contenders have extra expertise than Zayas and would seemingly trounce him if High Rank took him out of safety mode.

Can Kelly Dethrone Champion Xander Zayas?

“Zayas was calling for me not lengthy again. He was calling for me on Sky Sports activities. No disrespect. I feel he’s an ideal expertise. He lacks expertise, and I feel I’ll be capable to take him to locations he’s by no means been earlier than,” mentioned Kelly.” When it comes to kinds, I feel I’ll ultimately be capable to stand him on his head. I stand on that 100%.”

A Potential 50-50 Zayas-Kelly Combat

Zayas-Kelly could be a 50-50 battle. As dangerous as Xander appeared towards Jorge Garcia, Kelly has received a heck of an opportunity of beating him. The 22-year-old Zayas appeared flawed and completely beatable towards Garcia. High Rank’s matchmakers clearly know that he’s somebody who should be protected against anybody midway first rate within the 154-lb rankings. Kelly is beatable as nicely, and the matchmakers may really feel assured sufficient to permit Xander to battle him, offered the competition is staged on his dwelling turf in Puerto Rico.

“He’s 22 and he’s too younger. He received a little bit of a present with [Jorge Garcia] Perez. I’ll go in there and take it off of him. I’m chasing titles. If I wish to get these huge fights that fill stadiums, then I’ve received a world title. Come get me now. I don’t chase him. He’ll be chasing me,” mentioned Kelly when requested if he’ll go after Conor Benn after he dethrones Xander Zayas. “There’s by no means been a world champion from Sunderland.”

High Rank is more likely to wait till they discover a new broadcast platform earlier than they let Xander defend his WBO 154-lb title. Kelly, 31, could be a possible opponent for him as a result of they’re not going to throw the inexperienced like puncher Zayas to the wolves immediately with out permitting him to exploit the belt.

Josh isn’t a puncher both. So, they’ll look in his path earlier than letting him get wherever close to WBC champion Sebastian Fundora or IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev.