MACKEM Josh Kelly is dreaming of a Stadium of Light title unification against American star Jaron Ennis.
The Jattvibederland fan – who was on the Black Cats’ books as a teen – has held talks with the Premier League side over a homecoming bout.
Josh Kelly is dreaming of a Stadium of Light title unification against American star Jaron Ennis Credit: Getty
Ennis is the WBA and WBO 154lb champion Credit: Getty
A June date was pencilled in with promoter Eddie Hearn but instead Kelly returns on Saturday to defend his IBF super-welterweight world title against Caoimhin Agyarko in Saudi Arabia.
And following a run of snatching fighters’ undefeated records – Kelly fancies taking both Boots Ennis’ 0 and 154lb belts in his beloved ground next.
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Kelly told JattvibeSport: “I feel as though we will pack it out.
“And that is one that – I’m not trying to make you overlook Caoimhin – but Boots is the one that Matchroom have got as well.
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“And it’s the one we’re talking about. That’s the one that Eddie’s talking about trying to get him over here for that.”
Philly’s Boots, 29, is the WBA and WBO ruler and tipped for greatness after hammering Xander Zayas, 23, for the gold in June to go 36-0.
Meanwhile Kelly, 32, lived up to his promise and talent in January by upsetting Russian danger-man Bakhram Murtazaliev, 33.
The 2016 Olympian – who struggled with the pressure of expectation earlier in his career – revealed he woke up the next day a changed man with the gold around his waist.
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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
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He said: “I’ve been saying all day that the little things I’m so much more grateful for.
“As a world champion you’d expect like, ‘Now I can get this, now I can do this, now I can go there.’
“And it’s like the most perfect morning for me is waking up, opening the blinds, sat on the balcony, a little coffee, and I’m just watching the world go by and I’m thinking, ‘What else do I need? I don’t need much more.’
“I’ve done everything now. But I’ve still got that hunger inside to be better, to still become the best athlete I can become, and each training camp I’m getting better, and this one’s just another level.
“And they say once you become world champion, it does give you a little bit extra. So I think everyone’s seeing it, but it’ll be good to really show it on Saturday.”
Kelly’s defence of his prized IBF possession does not mark the first time he has shared the ring with Irishman Agyarko.
A disputed sparring session has created tension between the pair – but Kelly is ready to let his work in the ring do the talking.
He said: “Caoimhin, he likes to lie a lot, he likes to talk a lot. And I can see things happening already, I’m sat there laughing.
“I just go, ‘Whatever’. But like I said, for me it’s like, right, you’ve got a little dog barking on the floor there. Am I gonna get on my hands and knees and start barking with him?
“No, I tell you what, I’ll just keep it moving. If I’m who I know I am, before I used to believe it, now I know it.
“I’m gonna go in there and I’ll do a job, and I just need to keep myself professional and happy.”
