David Avanesyan (EBU) vs. Josh Kelly - February 20th 2021

[wesshaw1985]

I don't get why hearn doesn't just run with fitzgerald, surely sells tickets, liked by viewers for beating fowler, push him on for euro title and see how far he goes with backing.

Agreed.
Fitz can be a name to push in Preston whereas Fowler is just another cocky Scouser that cant sell a ticket.

Hearn should push Fitz imo...

 

[ORG83]

I don't get why hearn doesn't just run with fitzgerald, surely sells tickets, liked by viewers for beating fowler, push him on for euro title and see how far he goes with backing.

I get the feeling that some one like Hearn can put himself in a difficult situation, with getting too friendly with fighter like Fowler?

 

[dkos]

Will be interesting to see how the odds look closer to the fight.

 

[nidaros997]

Avanesyan did a doping test today. This should please Booth/Hearn who both hinted between the lines this was an issue regarding Kelly facing Avanesyan.

 

[wesshaw1985]

 

[nidaros997]

Just a boxing news 24 article, not saying much not yet said about these fighters and their recent bouts.

https://www.boxingnews24.com/2020/01/david-avanesyan-vs-josh-kelly-done-deal-for-late-march/

I am starting to think Hearn is setting up this fight to perhaps part ways with Kelly should he lose. The last fights have been tailor made for Kelly, but rather than gaining a larger fan base in the UK and the US, his popularity has folded and many even turned against him. Should Kelly win though, without any showboating and utilising good fundamental skills, I guess he'll get a voluntary EBU defence against someone easy to beat, and later down the road the Conor Benn fight. Whatever the outcome though, he won't be fast tracked anymore. Should Avanesyan win, there is the WBA regular title waiting (now that Besputin is in doping trouble), or perhaps a fight against Crawford?

 

[wesshaw1985]

Geordie headlining in London.
Got a feeling this is filling in for Uysk Chisora...

 

[dkos]

Warren and Fat Mick also have shows scheduled on the 28th...

 

[Grant]

Cracking fight this. Will really look forward to it.

 

[Sledgehammer16]

Be lots of £10 tickets going for this one!

 

[brian1982]

Fuck those youtubers, give me Booth vs Marsh!

 

[nidaros997]

Card so far:


Boxrec: https://boxrec.com/en/event/802748


Some interviews:


Interview with trainer Carl Greaves about the upcoming fight Kelly - Avanesyan, and his opinion on Fury-Wilder etc., then returns to the match JK-DA again.


Interview with Avanesyan by same interviewer:



Jump to 1.08.20 to hear another interview with David Avanesyan and Carl Greaves. 4 years since the last time he was interviewed on the show. Talks about his wins against Kerman Lejarraga in Spain and the way forward. Seems like Lejarraga and his team and other fans from Bilbao might be going to the O2 to support Avanesyan. Avanesyan and Greaves will return to the podcast after the fight against Kelly.


Article based on an interview with Kelly's trainer Adam Booth about his new gym in the latest Boxing Monthly, including an assessment of some of the boxers he is training now, such as Kelly:


Full article in the March 2020 issue: https://www.boxingmonthly.com/current-edition/

 

[wesshaw1985]

i reckon this will end up getting called off.
Cant see it being a massive ticket selling event...

 

[Grant]

I think the fight is doomed, never to happen.

 

[wesshaw1985]

 

[nidaros997]

i reckon this will end up getting called off.
Cant see it being a massive ticket selling event...

Hearn said the event had sold 4600 out of 5000 tickets when it was called off. Guess the fight will go on as Kelly is mandatory for the EBU fight and Hearn signed a three-fights contract deal with Avanesyan, and this is the second fight. If Avanesyan wins, Hearn will place him in a title fight (my guess is the WBA regular title, with Besputin if he is cleared with his B-test, or for a vacant title shot). If Kelly wins, he has proven himself against a possible top ten welter and can be expected to headline a show up north in the UK, defending his EBU title. Whatever happens to Kelly in this fight though, I think Hearn has realised Kelly needs more experience and getting rid of his flaws before he can move him up. Yes, kelly could also be fed to Besputin or to Crawford for a money-making fight, but after that his career as a British ticket/PPV-seller is over. He would get exposed completely. Avanesyan though I believe could beat Besputin now, and also give Crawford the same level of opposition as Kavaliauskas did. Thus loose, but still stayng relevant in the division, as crawford is still one of the best P4P. If Spence does not return any time soon, I guess the winner of Lipinets - Abduakhorov for the interim IBF tiitle could also be someone for Avanesyan to fight next, should he beat Kelly convincingly.

That Hearn wants this fight put on the undercard of another fight also tells me that most likely Kelly - Avanesyan will go ahead soon, on the undercard of a likely PPV event that will be boxed behind closed doors. No spectators, and no place for Kelly to flee.

 

[SouthpawCounter]

Kelly is going to beat this guy and I'm gonna make doe getting him at least evens.

 

[nidaros997]

https://www.boxingnews24.com/2020/04/josh-kelly-discusses-postponement-of-david-avanesyan-fight/

While we wait. Hearn and Kelly could be interpreted as if the fight is still on.

 

[wesshaw1985]

 

[wesshaw1985]