GLOVELY RACE TO THE TOP

Josh wants to beat pal Pickford to world title

- 

JOSH KELLY is determined to put Sunderland on the map - before his old pal Jordan Pickford beats him to it.

Kelly will attempt to dethrone the undefeated Bakhram Murtazaliev tonight in neighbouring Newcastle.

Doing so would crown the super-welterweight as Sunderland’s first-ever boxing world champion.

And it would give him five months to bask in his glory before Pickford’s England begin their World Cup campaign, with Thomas Tuchel’s men among the tournament favourites.

Kelly and Pickford played together in Sunderland’s academy before the former put on a different pair of gloves.

Pickford, now at Everton, hit the big time first and was cashing cheques while Kelly was pounding pavements.