Former world title challenger Jimmy Kelly is looking forward to putting on a career-best performance under the big lights on September 23, and believes his WBO Intercontinental super-welterweight fight with Stiliyan Kostov could be fight of the night, exclusively live on YouTube (www.youtube.com/parkerfury)
Kelly and his Bulgarian opponent will go head-to-head on the undercard of the hugely-anticipated Joseph parker versus Hughie Fury, WBO world heavyweight title fight show at Manchester Arena on September 23,
Kelly’s mild-mannered appearance belies the fact that he can really fight. The 25-year-old has knocked out eight of his 22 victims, with just one reverse on the Wythenshawe man’s ledger – a seventh round defeat to Liam Smith for the Liverpudlian’s WBO light-middleweight belt in December 2015.
Kostov should prove a tough and dangerous test for home fighter Kelly, and will be determined to return to his East European base with the WBO strap around his waist.
Vastly experienced, the 31-year-old has visited these shores previously, facing former British champion Brian Rose and big-punching Adam Etches. With 16 knockouts from 21 wins, and just seven defeats, the hard-hitter won’t be fazed by the Kelly challenge, but Jimmy says he won’t let the Bulgarian banger wreck his future dreams.
“His record suggests he can punch a bit. He’s been stopped a couple of times, but he’s been the distance with the likes of Brian Rose, so he’s quite durable too,” stated Kelly. “He can obviously whack and throws a lot of wide punches, so I need to be wary of his power but I’m prepared and looking forward to it.
“I definitely think this could be fight of the night. He’s an all action fighter, comes forward and throws shots looking for the stoppage. He won’t be coming over here to make up the numbers either, and he has his own ambitions to win the title. But I’ve got my own ambitions too, and want to move up the rankings, and get another world title fight. But, yeah, this one could well make fight of the night.
“In hindsight, maybe the fight against Liam [Smith] came too soon, but at the time I wasn’t there to play a bit part. I was convinced I’d get the win, and thought it was my time. I was only young though, I’m 25 now, but back then was a boy. I’m coming into my prime now and I’m looking forward to the future. Miguel Cotto has the title at the top of the WBO division, and it would be a dream come true to get a fight like that against someone I’ve grown up watching.”
Parker v Fury is exclusively live on YouTube at the special advance purchase offer price of only £9.99 in the UK and €11.99 in the Republic of Ireland until midnight on Sunday 17th September.*
*£14.99 in the UK and €16.99 in the R.O.I from Monday 18th September.