Jimmy 'Kilrain' Kelly is back and campaigning at middleweight this time
Jimmy Kelly Jnr discusses ring return this coming Friday at the home of Leeds United, sparring Billy Joe Saunders and move up to middleweight.
Jimmy 'Kilrain' Kelly is looking to bounce back from a year away from the ring and eyes a second attempt at the world title inside the next 12 months.
Kelly, who has now linked up with Clearwater Boxing, has spent almost a year away from the ring due to issues outside of the ring, but the 23-2 Manchester native hasn't wasted his time out the ring.
Kelly opened up about his link up with Clearwater Management and what his last year has entailed training wise. Kelly said, "I've not wasted my time out of the ring by any means. I've been in the gym constantly working with my trainer Lee Beard, who I believe is still one of the best trainers in the country if not the world. I have also linked up with Clearwater Boxing who have a great vision for myself going forward which is really exciting.
Kelly continued, discussing some of the quality fighters he has crossed swords with in sparring over the last 12 months, "I sparred Billy Joe Saunders in the lead up to his World Super Middleweight title clash last weekend and it's was great work. Everyday things are different in sparring when you spar Billy Joe. His variety is excellent and he can adapt to most situations. It has been great work for myself to learn alongside Billy Joe.and I'm confident that he can beat the elite at both 160 and 168 and I would love to see him now unify the world super middleweight titles.
"I have also sparred Mohammed Rabii who was a top draw amateur and is undefeated as a pro along with European Champion Kamil Szeremeta. Both of those were top class fighters and I learned lots from the sparring and that can only help me as a pro going forward."
The Wythenshawe man has also revealed a change in weight class, with the 25-year old making the move up to the Middleweight division and returns to the ring on May 25 at the home of Leeds United, Elland Road.
'Kilrain' clarified the reasons for the move up in weight and gave details on his return and his plans going forward. He said, "Firstly thanks to Mark Bateson for getting me on his show on May 25, I honestly can't wait to get back in the ring and I feel a far better fighter at middleweight and I'll show that on the night.
"I've fought for a world title as a kid and I know I have in it me to win one. The Middleweight division is stacked but boxing is all about timing and I believe that I have the ability to eventually land a world title. That's the plan for the foreseeable future; work towards landing a world title shot and becoming world champion."