Kelly calls out Benn after first-round stoppage win

Sunderland combatant Josh Kelly called retired Conor Benn aft making ray activity of Flavius Biea astatine Newcastle Arena.

Kelly, 31, bulldozed Biea successful 1 information of their light-middleweight bout, dropping nan Romanian pinch a near hook.

With conscionable complete a infinitesimal of nan information left, 35-year-old Romanian Biea was slow to emergence to hit nan referee's count, prompting nan charismatic to activity disconnected nan contest.

Asked astir who he wanted to conflict next, Kelly called retired home rival Benn.

"If it's a large home fight, [I want] Benn," Kelly replied.

"If it's not Benn, if he doesn't want to return that fight, past it'll beryllium a large world-title fight.

"In each governing assemblage I'm classed number 4 aliases number three, 2 successful immoderate governing bodies.

"I'm there. I've been knocking connected nan doorway for immoderate time. I'm successful my premier now. Let maine run, fto maine run."

Benn is still considering his adjacent move aft suffering nan first conclusion of his career by Chris Eubank Jr successful April.

The Englishman usually fights astatine welterweight, but moved up to middleweight to look Eubank.

Kelly improved his grounds to 17 wins, 1 nonaccomplishment and 1 draw, collecting conscionable his ninth stoppage victory.

After a derailing nonaccomplishment to David Avanesyan successful 2021, Kelly has rebuilt his career pinch 7 wins successful a row.