Jimmy Kelly gets first win in a year
Manchester's Jimmy Kelly wins on return, eyes path towards world middleweight title and Golovkin
Jimmy Kelly (24-2) returned to the ring with a dominating victory over Miguel Aguilar on Friday, May 31 on a Mark Bateson promoted event at the home of Leeds United, Elland Road.
'Kilrain' dominated the Nicaraguan 60-53 over six-rounds at his new division of middleweight, Aguilar deducted apoint for persistant holding.
Kelly had been absent from the ring for over a year after putting in a great showing under difficult circumstances against Dennis Hogan, who himself was unfortunate to drop a decision to the hard-hitting WBO world super-welterweight champion Jaime Munguia in April of 2019.
Kelly opened up about his performance last Friday evening and assessed what changes had been implemented since the Dennis Hogan clash.
Kelly said, "Firstly thank you to my management team Clearwater Boxing for getting me the opportunity to get back in the ring on Friday night as well as my training team headed up by Lee Beard for believing in me and keeping me busy in the gym during the time I have been out of the ring.
"I've not sat and rested for a year, I've been sparring top fighters including Billy Joe Saunders and I've also made the decision to move up to middleweight. It was good to get the rounds in the bank on Friday night and show off some of the things myself and Lee have been working on over the last 12 months."
Kelly, who has contested the world title at junior-middleweight aged 21, losing in a valiant effort to the talented Liam Smith. 5 years on Kelly believes his time has come to challenge for a world title up at middleweight and outlined his plans for the coming months.
The Manchester native said, "I believe I am only coming into my prime now and that is at middleweight. People have not seen the best of me yet and I believe that these next couple of years will be the best years of my career.
"Myself, Lee Beard and Clearwater Boxing want me back in the world ratings as quickly as possible, so our immediate plan is to outline a route back into the world ratings and begin a path to securing myself a second crack at the world title.
"There are some massive names at middleweight, and believe me I would jump in with anyone, even Gennady Golovkin! People don't want to fight the likes of Golovkin but I would that's what I am in this game for! I am happy to wait for my turn and work my way up towards a world title fight, but I can guarantee that when I get there, I will take it with both hands."