Josh Kelly confronts significant challenges in his boxing career as he prepares for a pivotal match against Liam Smith. After a tough stoppage loss to David Avanesyan, Kelly is keen to rebuild his standing in the sport with a series of solid performances.
Outside the ring, Kelly has experienced intense struggles with weight management, pushing his body and mind to their limits. “At 147lbs it was hard. Even if I’d go out and eat clean, I’d blow up to like 175lbs,” Kelly explained. “I had to boil down from around 161lbs to make 147 overnight, which was incredibly tough. I lost 15 or 16lbs in one sitting—it’s draining,” he added.
His weight-cutting experience was so extreme that he recalls times feeling disoriented at weigh-ins. “I couldn’t even see my opponent. I was thinking, ‘I don’t even know where I am.’ Then I had to fight for 12 rounds after that,” he said. Kelly also shared a harrowing moment where he thought he was having a heart attack while in the bath, intensifying the mental pressure of making weight.
In a highly anticipated matchup, Kelly will face Liam Smith at middleweight on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois event at Wembley Stadium on September 21. This fight marks a new chapter for Kelly, stepping into a division where Smith has found success, having fought at 160lbs recently.
Smith, a seasoned fighter and former world champion, presents a formidable challenge. Known for his aggressive style and tactical awareness in the ring, Smith has faced top-level competition, including high-profile bouts against Canelo Alvarez and Chris Eubank Jr.
Emphasizing his determination, Kelly stated, “They don’t think I’ve got any grit and that I tire easily. I want to prove them wrong in the late rounds.” He believes he has the strength and mental resilience to take the fight to Smith, asserting, “It was never physical; it was all mental with me. I’ve developed one of the strongest mindsets through my struggles.” For Kelly, this match is not only an opportunity to reclaim his status but also to silence any doubts lingering about his capabilities in the ring.
Don’t miss the thrilling clash between Liam Smith and Josh Kelly on the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois undercard on September 21.
