By Elliot Foster
Jimmy Kelly Jr. will return to the ring next month.
The Wythenshawe super-welterweight, who challenged Liam Smith for the WBO world title back in December 2015, recently outpointed Rick Godding over 10 rounds at Manchester.
But Kelly Jr., now with a record of 21-1 (8 KOs), will be looking to push on after that performance on June 24.
On that date, the 24-year-old will come up against a foe to be determined at the Forum in Wythenshawe, as part of ‘The Homecoming’, which is being promoted by MTK Global, with the vacant IBF European title at stake.
On social media, it has been confirmed that undefeated Ciaran McVarnock will feature on the bill, while Boxing Scene understands that Tommy Carus –– who recently dropped a decision to Tom Farrell in a battle for the latter’s WBA International title at super-lightweight –– will be added, with further additions to be confirmed in due course.
In other news
The vacant BUI Celtic featherweight belt will be at stake on May 27 at the National Stadium in Dublin, on the Celtic Clash 2 card, as Eric Donovan tops a 17-fight bill against Spaniard Juan Luis Gonzalez.
Anto Upton, 14-1 (5 KOs), is to make a change in his training setup and move closer to home for the next chapter in his career. The former English super-lightweight champ had been based in London at the West Ham Boxing Club under Barry Smith and Harry Andrews. However, it has now been confirmed that he is to return to Belfast full-time to be closer to his young family. He will be trained at the Immanuel Boxing Academy by former pros Ray Ginley and Dee Walsh