Josh Kelly is up for the challenge to face newbie WBO junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas if he’s given the opportunity to fight him next. Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) is ranked #3 WBO, and one of the potential opponents that Top Rank could select for Zayas (22-0, 13 KOs) to make his first defense of his WBO title.
Last month, Xander captured the vacant WBO 154-lb title, beating Jorge Garcia by a 12-round unanimous decision on July 26th in New York City. Kelly believes that Xander got a “gift” by being able to fight Garcia for the vacant belt.
“I believe I’m the best in Britain. I’m the best at the moment in my weight class [154]. I’m one of the best talents in Britain at the moment. I just need a breakout fight for one of these guys to take the fight to show myself,” said Josh Kelly to talkSport Boxing. “I’m not sure,” said Kelly when asked if he has to become the WBO mandatory for 154-lb champion Xander Zayas to fight him.”
The UK isn’t well represented at 154 right now. So, Kelly isn’t saying much when he claims he’s the best in the UK at 154. He should aim a little higher than that. There are a lot of talented fighters in the division that would see him as food, but Xander isn’t one of them. He’s easily the weakest link among the champions at junior middleweight. Most, if not all, of the top five contenders have more talent than Zayas and would likely trounce him if Top Rank took him out of protection mode.
Can Kelly Dethrone Champion Xander Zayas?
“Zayas was calling for me not long back. He was calling for me on Sky Sports. No disrespect. I think he’s a great talent. He lacks experience, and I think I’ll be able to take him to places he’s never been before,” said Kelly.” In terms of styles, I think I’ll eventually be able to stand him on his head. I stand on that 100%.”
A Potential 50-50 Zayas-Kelly Fight
Zayas-Kelly would be a 50-50 fight. As bad as Xander looked against Jorge Garcia, Kelly has got a heck of a chance of beating him. The 22-year-old Zayas looked flawed and utterly beatable against Garcia. Top Rank’s matchmakers obviously know that he’s someone who must be protected from anyone halfway decent in the 154-lb rankings. Kelly is beatable as well, and the matchmakers might feel confident enough to allow Xander to fight him, provided the contest is staged on his home turf in Puerto Rico.
“He’s 22 and he’s too young. He got a bit of a gift with [Jorge Garcia] Perez. I’ll go in there and take it off of him. I’m chasing titles. If I want to get these big fights that fill stadiums, then I’ve got a world title. Come get me now. I don’t chase him. He’ll be chasing me,” said Kelly when asked if he’ll go after Conor Benn after he dethrones Xander Zayas. “There’s never been a world champion from Sunderland.”
Top Rank is likely to wait until they find a new broadcast platform before they let Xander defend his WBO 154-lb title. Kelly, 31, would be a potential opponent for him because they’re not going to throw the inexperienced like puncher Zayas to the wolves right away without allowing him to milk the belt.
Josh isn’t a puncher either. So, they’ll look in his direction before letting him get anywhere near WBC champion Sebastian Fundora or IBF champ Bakhram Murtazaliev.