Josh Kelly slams Conor Benn as boxing star calls for all-British showdown

Daily Mirror

04-06-2025

The British star returns to the ring this week, but hopes a win over Flavius Biea will set him up with a future showdown with the 'Destroyer'
Josh Kelly believes Conor Benn is 'not up for it' after calling for a showdown with the British boxing star. Benn faced off against his arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in April, where after a thrilling clash, Eubank Jr secured a unanimous decision win in what has been described as a 'Fight of the Year' contender.
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has since indicated that a rematch is in the works for September 27. While many are eagerly anticipating the potential sequel, 'Pretty Boy' Kelly, who tuned into the mouthwatering middleweight dust-up, has expressed his own keen interest in stepping into the ring with Benn.
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However, the Sunderland native suggests the 'Destroyer' may not be quite so enthusiastic about facing him. Speaking exclusively to All Out Fighting, Kelly stated: "Yeah, for sure. But I do not know if he is up for it.
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"He is up for those circus fights though, I do not know if he wants those real fights. He wants all these rehydration clauses and all these circus names. I just want to get past this guy (Biea) and it will open up all of those things."
In an honest review of the clash back in April, 'Pretty Boy' did not hold back his assessment on Benn's performance, admitting: "He was good, he dug in," he said.
"I think a lot of pressure was on both of them. I think Benn was jumping in, he was a bit wild. But, I think the weight affected Eubank Jr, he started to go inside and bite down on his gum shield because his legs stopped working and that made out for a great fight for Conor... he was trade and do what he does best and it made it a lot better.
You cannot take any credit away from both of them, it was a great performance. They both dug in and gave the public exactly what they wanted - that dog fight."
Staying on the topic of Benn, Kelly insist that he has seen holes in the 'Destroyer's' games for a number of years and believes the British boxing star is not going to get any better.
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"I have seen holes in his game for years, but I think he is now plateaued," he brutally said. "He is at that level now where this is where he is. He is not going to get much better. I feel like he did a lot of improving for a few years and now he is sort of settled."
With his eyes set on bigger challenges, Kelly is eager for high-profile clashes within the boxing world, stating his readiness for the top contenders. However, before he can chase fights with boxing elites, Kelly's immediate future sees him squaring off against Flavius Biea in a highly anticipated return after almost 12 months outside the ring.
'Pretty Boy' is eyeing the big fights in the near future, and Friday night presents the perfect chance to demonstrate his readiness. "He's a decent fighter. He's strong, he's big. He's going to come forward and throw punches and will want to try and get busy. But, I think he will bring the best out of me. I have really got to go in there and put on a good performance," he stated.
The 31-year-old is keen to maintain momentum with a victory on Friday night and is eagerly anticipating what the rest of the year has in store for him. "Whatever comes. I am just looking to go in there and enjoy myself," he expressed. "When I am enjoying it, I am at my best, so whatever comes, I am just going to go in there and enjoy myself and forget about everything else. It is another fight, I have had 150 odd at amateur at the top level, now it is going to be my 19th fight as a pro, so it is all good... I cannot wait!"