Rising undefeated welterweight star Josh Kelly is ready to step up and compete against tougher competition, stating his interest in fighting former world champion Brandon Rios.
Kelly is only 7-0, but is already making a strong rise up the welterweight rankings. Kelly already owns the WBA International and Commonwealth welterweight titles and is already ranked No. 11 by the WBA. But Kelly has never fought someone who has already reached the top of the mountain and win a world title such as Rios.
In an interview with Sky Sports Boxing, Kelly stated that he is set to return in November, but he does not have an opponent yet. Although Kelly stated that he will leave the search for an opponent to trainer Adam Booth and will trust whoever Booth picks, Kelly said he love to fight Rios.
"I feel ready for anyone. I've had a bit of time off and have been ticking over but now I'm ready to jump back in. If Adam thinks Rios is the right fight next then we do it, I'd be happy with it... Rios can come and get it," Kelly said.
Rios was briefly linked to a fight with another British welterweight in Sam Eggington. There were rumors of Rios and Eggington fighting on the September 22 Matchroom Boxing card from Wembley Stadium so long as Eggington defeated Hassan Mwakinyo on September 8. Unfortunately for Rios, he did not get that fight as Eggington was stopped in the second round of his fight against Mwakinyo in a stunning upset.
