The “Ruthless" one Ryan Kelly has been given a cracking opportunity to fight on the Frank Warren show “Midlands Mayhem" at the Birmingham arena on 30th November. Kelly who boxed out of Eastside gym until recently making the move to Dubai with his partner to work as a boxing trainer will be fighting for the WBO European light Middleweight title. He will be taking on the 20 year old hot prospect Hamzah Sheeraz (9-0) from Ilford over 10 three minute rounds. Sheeraz is extremely tall for the weight at 6 foot 1 and has scored 5 stoppages in his nine fights but has yet to be really tested. Kelly (25) who has won fourteen out of his sixteen fights last took on William Warburton at Villa park last month winning on points in what people thought was a fair well fight before he made the move to Dubal. Kelly who is a former Midlands area champion has already contested for the WBC international silver belt losing on points to Michael McKinson, he also has amassed 7 stoppages in his 14 wins. This is looking like it is going to be a cracking contest on Frank Warren’s first show in Birmingham in a decade.
I managed to get in contact with Ryan to ask him a few questions, my first question to the “Ruthless” one was how did you feel when it was confirmed that you were fighting for the WBO European title? Kelly said “I was over the moon about getting the opportunity to fight on such a big Birmingham boxing card. I then asked Ryan what he new about his opponent and how he thought the fight would go? Kelly replied in a very confidently, “He’s a tall rangy fighter with a very long reach, but he has never fought anyone like myself”. Kelly finished by saying “I’m taking it to him and the title is coming home”.
Dexter’s Thoughts
It is great to hear that Ryan has got a shot at a big title, he has just made a big the move to Dubai to become a trainer over there. This is a great opportunity for him and it is well over due in my opinion, he has won a Midlands area and fought for a WBC international belt and has a massive support back in Birmingham. He will be showcasing his skills in his home town on a big show that will be shown live on BT sports and he has a very good chance of victory. Sheeraz is tall and has a impressive record on paper but has never fought 10 rounds or anyone of the skill level of Kelly. Kelly on the other hand has fought Harper, McKinson doing the full ten rounds and stopping Kelcie Ball and Owen Jobburn in 10 round fights. Kelly is the more experienced fighter and I have a feeling he is going to be the new WBO European light Middleweight champion. He will also earn his place in the Birmingham Boxing Columns Hall of Fame with the rest of the greats from the Midlands.