Boxing
'Plenty of names!' - Josh Kelly eyes superstars for title homecoming at Stadium of Light
Josh Kelly has multiple options after dethroning IBF light-middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, as the star eyes a Stadium of Light homecoming.
The Sunderland native became the sixth active British male world champion as he edged a majority decision against his foe at Newcastle's Utilita Arena.
Victory for Kelly moves him into rarefied air as one of the few world champions to hail from England's north-east region, and sets up a busy 2026 to come.
Plenty of fighters are in the frame for a shot at Kelly's title, and he admits the dream would be to bring them back to his hometown for an open-air dance.
"There's plenty of names that can fill that stadium," he said when asked on potential opponents after his victory. "We’ve got domestic fighters, overseas fighters.
"We’ve got loads of people who can fill in that spot and make this a crazy night at the Stadium of Light. This is history made. If I hung up the gloves, I'd be happy.
"But now it’s time to go and get the big fights that really get the people chatting, that get your next door neighbor talking [and] teally put them fights together."
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn previously revealed that the star could be in line to face off with former unified welterweight champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis.
Beyond the American however, there is also the prospect of unified WBA and WBO champion Xander Zayas, or even a test with old rival Conor Benn.
Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko will meanwhile meet in April for what would be the mandatory challenger position to his title, putting a timeframe on plans.
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