By Elliot Foster Jnr
Chris Kelly is living the dream right now. The former amateur talent makes his professional debut this weekend on the undercard of a champion he looks up to more than anyone else.
Top of the bill Derry Mathews aims to make history by becoming the first Scouser to win two world title belts, when he faces unbeaten Italian southpaw Emiliano Marsili for the vacant IBO lightweight title at the Liverpool Olympia on Friday night.
And Kelly, 23, who makes his first paid start in the light-welterweight division against the 32-year-old London journeyman Johnny Greaves, admits that debuting on Mathews’ undercard is like a dream come true.
As an amateur, Kelly had over 50 bouts, firstly in the vest of St Theresa’s ABC before switching to Kirkdale, yet he has always had a strong friendship with Mathews, who was himself a stand-out amateur star and former ABA champion.
“I look up to Derry a lot, like so many other fighters, and it will be great to debut on his undercard,” says the 23-year-old. “My training has gone really well, I’m in the gym at the moment keeping myself going and I can’t wait to get in the ring.
“I wasn’t very nervous last week as it still seemed so far away, but as the fight gets closer, I’m becoming more and more nervous. I am just hoping that once that first bell rings, all that will go away and will be able to get the job done.”
The fight also coincides with a switch of camps too. Kelly is keen to make the most out of all opportunities available and while securing this matchup he also revealed that a switch to Oliver’s Gym in Salford, where he will be able to work alongside Mathews daily, is on the cards.
Currently fighting out of the Vaughan camp, Kelly said: “Oliver Harrison is a master tactician and he’s also one of the best at training fighters at the weight I’m going to be boxing at. I know a lot of the lads up there already and I can’t wait to get started.”
Tickets for Friday’s world title card are still available from the Olympia box office on 0151 2636633.
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