Josh Kelly Trainer Switch: How About Derrick James?

Outside of Eubank Sr., Tyson Fury and Lennox Lewis, name me ONE successful UK fighter that has uprooted and left the UK for the US, to be great. Because there aren't many if there are any others. Do you know why? UK fighters win in the UK. They struggle outside of it. I'm confused, are you saying fighters that left the UK to train in America or UK fighters being successful fighting in America? Because Prince Naseem did just fine training and fighting in America. Anyways, how was that relevant to Kelly training with James and James being a good fit for him?

Why does a fighter need a new trainer after one loss early in their career? David Haye was trained by Adam Booth and suffered a loss in his 10th fight against more seasoned fighter but he never switched trainers and went on to have a good career and become a world champion under Booth. Why does he Kelly need to leave Booth? He obviously doesn't. He can stand put and continue working with Booth no problem. I just feel that he is going to continue having similar issues the rest of his career with Booth. Think the James gym and the type of sparring Kelly will consistently get would help him in big ways. And as I've stated, I feel like Charlo had some of the same types of flaws as Kelly earlier in his career and James was able to develop a very effective style for him. Kelly just doesn't know how to control range nor the tempo of a fight and that will lead him to tiring against solid/good fighters, let alone the top dogs in the division. Do you see those things changing with Booth? if not, then he should definitely be thinking about going to another trainer or getting another voice in camp.

Josh has skills. He needs someone like Anne Wolfe to take him deep within himself. Get that stamina and go that extra level when needed.

Why does a fighter need a new trainer after one loss early in their career? David Haye was trained by Adam Booth and suffered a loss in his 10th fight against more seasoned fighter but he never switched trainers and went on to have a good career and become a world champion under Booth.

Isn't Josh Kelly UK? Derrick James isn't going to do that much flying. No...he needs to find someone local and work with it. Whoever that is needs to reinforce defense. Well obviously Kelly would have to relocate. If a fighter is serious enough then it they will, many have. That said ,I don’t see him leaving Adam Booth any time soon, They are very close. Not that it’s stopped fighters before but it doesn’t strike me as the kind of relationship that’s going to end over one loss.

Isn't Josh Kelly UK? Derrick James isn't going to do that much flying. No...he needs to find someone local and work with it. Whoever that is needs to reinforce defense. A big part of getting with James would be to train in the Texas heat with those killers in the gym. Why would James be traveling to the UK to train him? Kelly would have to set camp in Dallas.

That would be great. All of James' fighters are conditioned and tough, the things Kelly really lacks. Two of the biggest factors as well as James getting Kelly to sit down on his shots more and limit all the unnecessary movement.

That would be great. All of James' fighters are conditioned and tough, the things Kelly really lacks.

I always encourage UK boxers to leave their comfort zone and train outside, because I believe they learn a lot in that terms. Not just about going to america, got to east Europe, go to Germany etc and train with their trainers. Honestly boxers in the western world are soft, and they have been brought up the soft way, america for me is no different and you can see it in their faces, the way they talk and the way their trainers train them. Would he learn from James probably but you cannot fix years of developing in a soft system, the years of American hardcore training or trainers is gone. And whilst Kelly might learn a few new things I just don’t think it would make any major difference in his career. I don't think he would need a complete makeover or anything, but just would need good hard sparring in camp and then being able to sit on his shots more. Because let me tell you, if you don't sit on your shots while sparring Spence or Charlo, you're going to get run over. I just see some similarities to the flaws Charlo had before coming to James and some of the flaws Kelly has. But even if he sticks it out with Booth, I encourage him to come stateside to get better sparring. The Southern California and Texas gyms are always full of hungry fighters ready to give the top guys good work

I always encourage UK boxers to leave their comfort zone and train outside, because I believe they learn a lot in that terms. Not just about going to america, got to east Europe, go to Germany etc and train with their trainers. Honestly boxers in the western world are soft, and they have been brought up the soft way, america for me is no different and you can see it in their faces, the way they talk and the way their trainers train them. Would he learn from James probably but you cannot fix years of developing in a soft system, the years of American hardcore training or trainers is gone. And whilst Kelly might learn a few new things I just don’t think it would make any major difference in his career.

Good post, I would really like to engage more with this one. But I am put off by this terrible forum layout and interface. Maybe another time. I mean it's not going to change no reason so you will have to just learn how to deal with it. I'm still getting used to it myself.

i think most people acknowledge that while Josh Kelly has some skills, he is missing a lot elements to his game that he needs for the pro game. So instantly after the fight many mentioned McGuigan or Ingle or other UK based trainers. And on face value, that makes sense. However, I feel like Derrick James would be a very good fit for him. Jermell used to be a fighter who had solid skills but would move around the ring a lot and wouldn't sit on his shots much. Well, that changed with James and you can argue that Charlo is too KO happy at times but he's turned into a dangerous fighter. Both of James top fighters control the tempo of fights and know when to inflict damage and when to box. When you watch Kelly, he just doesn't know when to sit down on his shots and when to move. He doesn't jab nearly enough and that's a strength of both Jermell and Errol. With James, Kelly would get top notch sparring in the gym and would quickly develop into more of a pro style opposed to his current amateur style. I don't know if James will ever be able to make Kelly into a true world class fighter, but I think some of his flaws would go away and he would become a more dangerous fighter. Simply put the way he fights, he will never be able to hold off any decent pressure fighter and will get stopped. Spence always gets good sparring with young up and coming Mexican fighters and pressure fighters and Kelly desperately needs that. Thoughts? Good post, I would really like to engage more with this one. But I am put off by this terrible forum layout and interface. Maybe another time.

What makes Adam Booth a great trainer? What makes Adam Booth a great trainer? I just think he is a real great trainer. Shoulder roll that is as deep and introspective I will get on this subject. Because in all honesty? I am put off by this terrible forum layout and interface.

Adam Booth is a great trainer, and Kelly suits his specific methodologies. Kelly has all the traits as a fighter, Booth likes to work with etc The only other gym, that I think may be good for Kelly is 'Dominic Ingle'. All in all, people need to stop pointing the finger to the trainers 'Sometimes fighters just are not good enough on the night'. What makes Adam Booth a great trainer?

I think the best thing Booth does is throw in the towel when his guys are about to take a beating. Shane McGuigan seems a straight upgrade, tactically. The main thing for Kelly is his mindset, his basic approach, is wrong. Maybe that can't be fixed, but if it can then he needs a new trainer, I agree with that. What about Rob McCracken? Joshua has had to accept his flaws and rebuild as a cautious 12-round fighter. People are saying Caleb Plant's trainer (Justin Gamber). Today's Joshua is a heavyweight Plant. Instead of Gamber, I'd definitely rather him go to James. He needs that hard sparring and needs to be FORCED sit down and gain respect from his opponents. Does anyone even know what kind of fighters Kelly even spars with?

Don't get me wrong stylistically James would help for sure with that being said, I doubt Kelly has any plans on moving to Texas. Mark Tibbs maybe? Not sure Adam Booth is the problem more so the problem being Josh Kelly himself! I mean if he wants to stay in the UK, then sure any of the names mentioned could work. But I think coming stateside can really help him. Just better work for WWs and in the case of James, we have already seen him turn around Charlo who had some of the same issues as Kelly.

I think the best thing Booth does is throw in the towel when his guys are about to take a beating. Shane McGuigan seems a straight upgrade, tactically. The main thing for Kelly is his mindset, his basic approach, is wrong. Maybe that can't be fixed, but if it can then he needs a new trainer, I agree with that. What about Rob McCracken? Joshua has had to accept his flaws and rebuild as a cautious 12-round fighter. People are saying Caleb Plant's trainer (Justin Gamber). Today's Joshua is a heavyweight Plant.

You talk about high guard, what kind of stance does Spence often times use? Even Charlo? But it's not just about that. Kelly can still do some of the things he does. I just think James can tweak his style enough and implement more of a pro style. And with the style Kelly has, sparring is CRUCIAL. You better be getting some DOG work in the gym against some top notch pressure fighters. He would get that with James. Don't get me wrong stylistically James would help for sure with that being said, I doubt Kelly has any plans on moving to Texas. Mark Tibbs maybe? Not sure Adam Booth is the problem more so the problem being Josh Kelly himself!

After what I seen Oscar Valdez do last weekend I say send him to Eddie. Eddie is arguably the best in the game right now so pretty much anyone going to him is a good move. That one may take time though. Valdez looked pretty rough in stretches and Nery didn't work out with him either. I'd like to still see it though. With James, he at least has fighters in the same weight class or close to the weight class Kelly is in.

Fan of Derrick James, one of the best Trainers in boxing No Doubt but NO! Need to reinvent his style though...first of all you're neither Mayweather or Roy Jones Jr. stop with the Slick Hands Down Sh^t! He has excellent hand spoon and he can actually fight on the inside and I thought he was doing excellent to start that fight beating Ava to the punch. It was when he got on that damn Back Foot and tried to be Roy Jones is when Ava started Clipping him more and more. He can be fixed, just need to add to his game and switch up his Defense to a High Guard and CIRCLE instead of getting on his Backfoot. Knowing how to fight on the inside can not only help reserve energy but it also can get your opponents respect and it shows that that you can stand and fight You talk about high guard, what kind of stance does Spence often times use? Even Charlo? But it's not just about that. Kelly can still do some of the things he does. I just think James can tweak his style enough and implement more of a pro style. And with the style Kelly has, sparring is CRUCIAL. You better be getting some DOG work in the gym against some top notch pressure fighters. He would get that with James.