Josh Kelly suggests Conor Benn is focused on earning significant commercial revenue, but maintains that a fight between them would also generate substantial income for both.
Several years prior, Benn and Kelly developed a significant rivalry while under the Matchroom promotional banner. Benn is still a key Matchroom fighter, but Kelly departed Eddie Hearn`s stable in 2021 to join Wasserman`s Sauerland brothers. Despite this, Kelly`s desire to face Benn has not diminished.
Benn`s standing improved in April following a courageous showing despite his loss to Chris Eubank Jr at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A rematch clause could lead to a second fight, and Benn has openly challenged major names like Devin Haney and Gervonta Davis.
Regarding Benn, Kelly stated, “He might want to pursue these fantasy fights and add those free losses to his record.”
He continued, “That loss against Eubank was essentially free. The performance was good, but Eubank was significantly drained [at the weight]. If he faces Haney or ‘Tank,’ it will be another free loss. He’s focused on maximizing commercial gains, but I’m not a minor figure – I have commercial value too. A fight with me wouldn`t result in him losing significant income.”
Kelly (16-1-1, 8 KOs) is scheduled to return to the ring tomorrow night in a 10-round main event against Romania’s Flavius Biea (24-1, 12 KOs) at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena. Kelly, from Sunderland, currently holds the #4 ranking with both the WBO and the IBF, positioning him one spot above Benn in the latter.
The 31-year-old fighter needs a defining bout to elevate his career. His most significant victory to date remains his British title win over Troy Williamson in December 2022. Kelly indicated that a win against Biea would make him “one million per cent” committed to chasing bigger opportunities.
He commented, “The more challenging the fight, the better I perform.”
“The bigger the occasion, the better I am. The more spectators, the more vibrant the atmosphere… setting the stage right, with the right opponent, will bring out the best version of me yet.”
The super-welterweight division remains crowded with talent, and Kelly identified a specific champion or contender he believes would be a “nightmare” opponent for them.
“Bakhram Murtazaliev. I believe that would be an excellent fight, and I’d eagerly accept the challenge. Those kinds of fights are toss-ups, 50-50. People might lean towards him, but I crave those matchups; I want to test myself.”
Murtazaliev made a strong impression on the world scene with a devastating performance against former WBO champion Tim Tszyu. His third-round stoppage of the Australian garnered international attention. However, Kelly feels his fighting style is a poor match for the Russian.
“I sense I’d be a difficult opponent for him. I watched his fight against Jack Culcay. He was being outboxed until he eventually stopped Culcay. Culcay exhausted himself. So, I picked up on little hints here and there.”
