Kelly trainer: ‘We’re bringing the belt back to Birmingham’
Kelly…Commonwealth title shot. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions
WITH the clock ticking towards the biggest night of middleweight Ryan Kelly’s fighting career, trainer John Costello insisted: “We are not there to make-up the numbers, we are there to win the Commonwealth title, we’re there to bring the belt back to Birmingham.”
“There” is major promoter Matchroom’s huge show at Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, on Saturday.
It is a bill dripping talent and local interest. In the main event, Birmingham’s former Olympic medallist Galal Yafai faces Sunny Edwards for the WBC world flyweight title.
Wolverhampton warrior Conah Walker, one of the best domestic welters in the business, continues his march towards very big things on the undercard. He’s pitted against Geordie puncher Lewis Ritson in a fight guaranteed to produce fireworks.
Birmingham’s heavy-handed light-heavy Troy Jones gets his first taste of a major arena night. The exciting 26-year-old defends his English belt against Bedford’s Michael Stephenson.
There are 50-50 fights from top to bottom, but the clash between Chelmsley Wood’s Kelly and Kieron Conway for the vacant Commonwealth title may well steal the super-show.
It is battle between two very, very good operators who have fought it out with the best. They’ve proved their worth.
Ryan gained the silver Commonwealth strap by outpointing River Wilson-Bent in a bout named Midlands fight of the year. Before that, he was Midlands champ at light-middle (11st).
He looked dreadfully unlucky to drop a controversial split decision to current British middle champ Brad Pauls.
The 30-year-old (19-4-1) last fought in June when he was held to a draw by Gerome Warburton, with the silver belt on the line.
Northampton’s Conway, aged 28, drew with Ted Cheeseman for the British light-middleweight title and has beaten top men such as Macaulay McGowan, James Metcalf and Linus Udofia. He’s lost three of 25 (one draw).
Costello underlined the respect that exists between the two boxers. But he believes this is Ryan’s time to shine.
And he revealed Kelly enters the fight finally free from an arm injury that has plagued him for some time.
“Kieron Conway does the simple things very, very well, he is a solid operator and tough lad,” Costello said. “I don’t think he is anything like as physically strong as Ryan. Ryan could never make 154lbs again. Ryan has faced bigger punchers than Kieron.”
And Kelly is finally fully fit.
“Ryan doesn’t make excuses,” Costello said, “but he has been boxing through a number of issues and one of them was his left arm. A broken piece of bone has been floating around his elbow.
“We were thinking whether to have an operation or wait for the piece of bone to dissolve, which has happened.
“Ryan has been boxing with one-and-a-half arms. He was having quarterzone and struggled to get through sparring. We don’t make excuses, we chose to box with it.
“Now, he’s as good as I’ve seen him – mentally, physically.
“It is a great fight and we have not underestimated Kieron. I know his father (and trainer) well and we have nothing but respect for the pair of them.
“Kieron has never shied away from a fight and we have trained for the best Kieron Conway.
“Make no mistake, for Ryan this is one of the three biggest things in his life. The others were the birth of his daughter and getting married.
“We have left no stone unturned and the support we have had for this one is unbelievable. Ryan’s work, TDR, gave him four-and-a-half weeks off to prepare. They have given complete support.”
Costello added: “I truly believe that on Saturday night you will see Ryan at his best. Kieron is a tough game lad and this has the makings of being fight of the night.”