Birmingham’s Ryan Kelly put on a sensational performance against the unbeaten Brad Pauls at the indigo at The O2 London (13,5,22). Kelly (28) was having his third fight after returning from Dubai where he had resided for a year and a half with a record of 16 wins in 19 contests. Pauls (29) from Essex was coming in with a unbeaten record of 15 wins in this Middleweight contest.
The contest went the full ten round distance with a lot of close rounds as both fighters leaf it all in the ring. Kelly seemed to me to be getting the better of the later rounds with the cleaner, eye-catching shots but Pauls was not going to give up his unbeaten record easy and fought back hard.
After the final round it was taken to the judges with Mark Bates scoring it 96 to 94 Pauls, Mark Lyson having it 96 to 95 Pauls and Terry O’Connor scoring it 97 to 93 to Kelly. Myself I had it 96 to 94 to Kelly with Pauls winning on a split decision.
Kelly who was very disappointed with the result took to social media and wrote this as his status. He wrote ‘Absolutely devastated and disgusted with the decision last night, felt I was winning the fight comfortable behind my jab and done the far cleaner work. I hate the word robbery in boxing but last night was exactly that! No fault of my opponent nor his team and all of them came to me after and apologized about the decision and told me I won the fight. I promise you all now this is only the beginning I have my eyes set on that British title and won’t be denied by corrupt judges. I Won that fight even after blowing my hand up in the second round. Huge thanks to my team John Costello Talab Hussain Errol Johnson and everyone else in the background helping me out. Thanks to my wife for putting up with me throughout camp it cant be easy Abigail Kelly. Also thank you to each and every person that sticks with me and supports me throughout my journey. Get me home to my beautiful daughter Frankee and on that plane Tuesday. I’ll be back stronger, watch this space’.
Dexter’s Thought’s
What a great fight and what a great display from Ryan Kelly who showed he can still compete at the top level in British Boxing. I did think it was a close fight with some close rounds but with Kelly finishing strong I had him 2 rounds up at the end. What I think you have to take into consideration is Kelly was fighting from the away corner against a unbeaten fighter from the south in London so would have probably had to knock him out to get a draw. That just seems to be boxing these days, but what can not be denied is that Kelly took on an unbeaten highly rated fighter and dealt with him in style. Kelly has stated he has his eye on the British title this defeat has put that back for now, but I’m sure Kelly will return and if he can get a few high level wins he will get that British title shot.