Josh Kelly makes outing number one of the year this weekend as he looks to edge ever closer to a shot at world honours amongst a vibrant super-welterweight scene. 

It comes after a 2022 in which Kelly reaffirmed his talent to the boxing fraternity. 

Sure, seeking the approval of others isn’t atop of Kelly’s to-do list, but, after a lockdown audience watched him suffer against David Avanesyan, many needed reconvincing. 

Three fights and three wins, including a sensational boxing performance against Troy Williamson, did exactly that. 

Now he sits akin to his alias, ‘pretty’, in both the WBO & IBF rankings. We have entered a crucial sector in Kelly’s career. There is little room for error. 

Add that to the fact undisputed champion Jermell Charlo has stepped up to take on Canelo Alvarez, the future of the belts at 154 is in the balance. 

If things fall kindly, Kelly could well see himself in prime position for a world title shot this year. 

However, there is business to attend to in the meantime. That business comes in the form of 18-0 Argentine Gabriel Corzo. 

Of course, records can be deceiving, and having never travelled outside of Argentina, and boasting a paltry three knockouts, it is easy to downplay Corzo as any type of threat. 

Yet imagine for a second being in Corzo’s shoes. 

A trip to shores flooded with boxing fanatics. A chance to propel yourself closer to an almost forlorn goal. The opportunity to cause an upset that would shock the boxing circle. 

It is a path successfully trodden, too. 

The same arena in which Saturday’s fight will take place, was the scene of Argentine puncher Jeremiah Ponce’s shock stoppage of Lewis Ritson back in 2021. 

Ponce went on to fight for a world title 18 months later. 

So, Kelly will need to be aware. If, and when he is, there is no doubt he has the ability to twist any fighter not up to scratch in knots. 

But as well as showing his technical prowess, Kelly may want to sit on his shots a little more than he did last time out, with the understanding that his rivals may be watching. 

Those rivals, the likes of Tim Tszyu, Brian Mendoza, Israil Madrimov and even Danny Garcia, will be fighters on the radar of Kelly if he is to come through Saturday night. 

Now, a journey once scuppered by mental unbalance and fragility, is on the cusp of reaching the heights it was destined to. Time to show up. 

Oscar Bevis