Boxing
Will Kelly land 'Boots' unification wish after bloody Agyarko win?
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Josh Kelly came through his first test as IBF light-middleweight champion on Saturday night - but he had to do it the hard way.
The Sunderland native was left bloodied and bruised by Caoimhín Agyarko in an absorbing contest at the Jeddah Superdome.
The star's hopes of a blockbuster Stadium of Light homecoming awere ultimately iced in favour of a Saudi Arabia trip instead.
But having emerged victorious from his first hurdle, Kelly can now start planning again for the future - and one foe in particular.
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Long linked to Jaron Ennis, the Briton and promoter Eddie Hearn have made little secret of their desire to put a fight together.
Now, with 'Boots' also holding major crowns in the division, DAZN News asks - could Kelly be poised for his unification wish?
How has Kelly teed up 'Boots' shot?
Having faced Bakhram Murtazaliev at Newcastle's Utilita Arena earlier this year, Kelly edged a tough contest to earn his stripes.
But even before that, Hearn had suggested a deal was in place for the Briton to face Ennis, then a former welterweight champ.
The American had moved up a division the past October, dismissing Uisma Lima in style, and backers wanted a tougher foe.
Kelly seemed poised to be that, before he defeated Murtazaliev and catapulted his stock. But both reportedly remain interested.
A new deal would surely need to be struck. But in edging a gutsy Agyarko on Saturday, Kelly has held up his end of any bargain.
What has Kelly said about Ennis?
Speaking in his post-fight interview, Kelly doubled down on hopes for Ennis and other marquee foes, admitting it was a priority.
"I want it next," he stated, before hailing his foe. "People will be smiling looking at that, but [Agyarko is] a tricky night for anyone.
Cris Esqueda/Matchroom Boxing
"[But] I want the big names in the division. I already took out one big name in Bakhram Murtazaliev. Let me get the other ones."
Trainer Adam Booth previously reiterated his star's desire in an interview with talkSPORT too, underlining hopes for the American.
"A lot of this is in Eddie Hearn’s hands," he said on a showdown between the pair. "Then he already knows that we'll take the fight."
Would 'Boots'-Kelly be realistic bout?
On paper, yes. With three of the light-middleweight division's four major belts between them, unification almost seems a formality.
But in practice, matters are perhaps a little more complicated. As WBA and WBO champion, 'Boots' has his fair share of suitors.
Then there is the commercial aspect. Despite his success, Kelly has arguably not broken out to reach an international audience.
By contrast, current WBC champion Sebastian Fundora is a bigger draw - and interim holder Vergil Ortiz Jr. may be even greater.
Success in Jeddah will have further burnished Kelly on the world stage. But his hopes for Ennis could prove to be prematurely iced.
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