Cats' success inspiring Josh before big fight

SUNDERLAND'S Josh Kelly has been back home in the North East this week, gearing up for tonight's fight at the Utilita Arena Newcastle against Romanian opponent Flavius Biea.

- OWEN YOUNGER

The 31-year-old middleweight has made headlines in the last week by calling out both Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr after their historic contest in April.

Kelly said he'd probably “knock Benn out”, and would “stand Eubank on his head and outbox him”.

At the press conference ahead of tonight's clash, ‘Pretty Boy’ Josh, who has a record of 18 fights, 16 wins, one draw and one loss, seemed to be in a confident mood - something which he says is in no small part due to being back on home turf.

“I think my best performances come up here in the North East”, he said with assurance. “There's something about it, something in the air. I come back up here and I feel at home, I feel at ease, so yeah, I feel good.

“I prepare the same way every time, if it isn’t broken then don’t fix it, but being somewhere I know well can definitely help. I just like it being loud and rowdy in there, I don’t like the dead atmospheres, I'm a fight-night fighter for sure.”