British boxing is rarely short on simmering rivalries, and the super-welterweight division is no exception. At the heart of a recent eruption of candid commentary stands Josh Kelly, a fighter whose silky skills are matched only by his refreshingly direct opinions. Kelly has turned his gaze firmly on erstwhile stablemate, Conor Benn, delivering a sharp critique of what he labels Benn`s pursuit of “fantasy fights” and “free losses,” all while positioning himself for a genuinely defining challenge.
The “Commercial Money” Play: Kelly`s View on Benn
For years, Kelly and Benn shared promotional banners, fostering a rivalry that never quite boiled over into an actual clash. Now, with Kelly forging his path under Wasserman after departing Matchroom in 2021, his perspective on Benn’s career trajectory is unvarnished. Following Benn’s high-profile, albeit losing, effort against Chris Eubank Jr. – a bout Kelly dismisses as a “free loss” due to Eubank’s perceived weight-drained state – Benn has been vocal about his desire to face boxing`s elite, names like Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis. Kelly, however, sees a calculated strategy rather than pure sporting ambition.
“He might want to take these fantasy fights and get them free losses on his record,” Kelly observed with a candour that borders on playful cynicism. “That’s a free loss against Eubank. If he goes against Haney or ‘Tank’ it’s a free loss.”
The implication is clear: such encounters, while undeniably lucrative and profile-boosting, are less about proving competitive dominance at super-welterweight and more about maximizing “commercial money.” It’s a shrewd observation on the modern boxing landscape, where mega-fights often transcend traditional divisional logic in pursuit of pay-per-view numbers.
The Unfought Rivalry: Kelly vs. Benn
Yet, even as he critiques, Kelly doesn`t dismiss the commercial viability of a clash between himself and Benn. “I’m not a small name – I’m commercially valuable. A fight against me you wouldn’t be dropping a lot of money.” This isn`t merely an idle boast; Kelly, with a record of 16-1-1 (8 KOs), holds impressive rankings, sitting #4 with both the WBO and IBF at super-welterweight – notably, a spot ahead of Benn in the IBF. The potential for a genuine, competitive British blockbuster remains, offering a different kind of commercial appeal rooted in authentic rivalry rather than pure superstar status.
Kelly`s Path: Seeking True Definition
While Benn navigates the glittering world of mega-fights, Kelly is on a different quest: the pursuit of a genuinely defining moment. His British title triumph over Troy Williamson in December 2022 remains his career highlight, a testament to his technical prowess and ring intelligence. But at 31, “The Pretty Boy” knows that true legacy requires bigger stages and tougher tests.
His upcoming 10-round main event against Romania’s Flavius Biea (24-1, 12 KOs) at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena serves as the immediate hurdle. Beyond Biea, Kelly`s ambition shines bright. He stated with an emphatic “one million per cent” that he`s chasing bigger opportunities. “The harder the fight the better I am,” he remarked, adding, “The bigger the fight the better I am. The more people there, the more lively it is… get the stage set, the right opponent to see the best version of me to date.” This isn`t just talk; it`s a fighter expressing a deep-seated desire for the crucible of competition.
The Unexpected Target: Bakhram Murtazaliev
In a division teeming with talent, Kelly has set his sights on an intriguing, and perhaps unexpected, challenge: Bakhram Murtazaliev. The Russian announced himself with a devastating third-round stoppage of former WBO titlist Tim Tszyu, a performance that undoubtedly sent ripples through the super-welterweight landscape. Yet, Kelly sees not an insurmountable foe, but a stylistically advantageous matchup.
“Bakhram Murtazaliev. I think that would be a great fight and I would love to take the challenge. Them fights are 50-50. People would probably favour him but I want to be in them fights, I want to test myself.”
His confidence against Murtazaliev isn`t baseless bravado. Kelly, ever the astute observer, points to Murtazaliev’s struggle against Jack Culcay, where the Russian “was getting beat until he stopped Culcay. Culcay punched himself out.” For Kelly, these are “little inklings here and there” that reveal a pathway to victory. “I feel like I’m a nightmare for him,” he confidently declared, suggesting his unique blend of movement, angles, and technical precision could prove problematic for the powerful but perhaps less fluid Murtazaliev.
Conclusion: A Path Less Traveled
As the super-welterweight division continues to churn with potential mega-fights and compelling narratives, Josh Kelly stands as a fascinating counterpoint to the commercial allure. He`s a fighter who, while acknowledging the financial realities, seems genuinely driven by the purity of competition and the desire to leave an indelible mark through challenging, defining encounters. Whether his direct approach eventually leads to a showdown with Benn, or if he carves his own unique path through the division`s elite, Kelly`s perspective offers a refreshing, albeit sharply delivered, take on the modern boxing landscape. His ambition is clear: not just to earn, but to truly prove himself against the best, on his own terms.
