Former world champion Jimmy Kelly is looking to get his career back on track this week after an eight-month absence from the ring.
The Manchester-born boxer last fought in June, suffering just the third defeat of his 26-3 career to the unbeaten Jaime Munguia. He’d been scheduled to return in October and then December, but after neither materialised he instead took the opportunity to spar with Chris Eubank Jr, ahead of his clash with Liam Smith last month.
Kelly, 30, is now ready and raring to go for his own bout against Edward Ulloa Diaz in Plant City, Florida this Wednesday (February 22), which is free to watch on ProBox TV. Speaking exclusively to Daily Star Sport, he said: “I’m feeling great.
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“I’ve had a good camp, from sparring Eubank over Christmas just followed it all the way through. A good six or seven weeks so I’m happy.”
There was less than four months between Kelly’s loss to Munguia, who earned a KO after three knockdowns in the fifth round, and his shock upset points victory over the then-undefeated Kanat Islam to claim the WBO global middleweight title.
Reflecting on 2022, he admitted he may have bitten off more than he could chew stepping up to super-middleweight for his last outing.
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(Image: Instagram/jimmykelly100)
“I’ve not had it easy. Beating Kanat Islam when he was unbeaten, knockout artist. Big Kazak, then obviously went straight into Munguia,” Kelly continued.
“I was winning that fight until I got caught, but there was a big weight difference on the night. He was up at super middle so it was obviously too big for me.”
(Image: Instagram/jimmykelly100/gloversstories)
Facing Dominican Diaz, 32, is the first step back into championship contention for Kelly, who added: “It’s my third fight in America and I’m happy with how it’s gone. It’s the land of opportunity and I’ve come over here and I’ve took my chances.
“I think my stock rose against Munguia and I want another bite of the cherry at that level again. So it’s a must win fight against Diaz and one that I’m fully confident for, I’ve put in the hard work.”
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