David Haye Tabs Josh Kelly For Big Things in 2018

By Terence Dooley

London’s David Haye (28-3, 26 KOs) has given his heavyweight backing to Sunderland’s 2016 Olympian Josh Kelly (5-0, 4 early) and has told the 23-year-old welterweight that he can go all the way if he listens to his trainer Adam Booth, who also trained Haye during the former cruiserweight Champion and WBA heavyweight titlist’s best years.

Haye rematches Tony Bellew in May at London's O2 Arena after losing in 11 rounds last time out. 

The 37-year-old injured his Achilles tendon in round five of their March 4th meeting, and was an open target until his former trainer Shane McGuigan threw in the towel to end the bout.  Haye also had to postpone the rematch after suffering another setback in training due to a bicep injury sustained during a stair conditioning session and the subsequent surgery.

However, his ability to talk a good fight both for himself and others remains unchanged, and he waxed lyrical about Kelly when speaking to the Chroniclelive.co.uk, even going as far as stating that a world title tilt could be possible within the next year-and-a-half.

“Josh Kelly has looked brilliant so far—he hasn't put a foot wrong,” stated Haye. 

“He really looks the part.  There's some exciting talent coming through in Britain at the moment and Josh is certainly one of best.  I'm expecting big things from him, if I'm honest.  He will be representing the North East on a world level—not domestic, not European, at world level.  He's that good.”

He added: "Having someone like Adam Booth in the corner—I know from experience as he guided me to a world title.  The performances speak for themselves and as I know Adam is a great person to guide someone like Josh to a world title.  For him to step up to ten-rounders in just his fifth fight says exactly what Booth thinks of him.”

Now signed with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom, Kelly will be kept busy in 2018 and had been penciled in for a slot on the Bellew-Haye rematch, but is now waiting on his next fight date to get the year underway.

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