Zayas posted on social media that Top Rank contacted Kelly’s side two weeks earlier and said his team is still waiting for an answer. The unbeaten Puerto Rican added that the logistical side of the event has already been arranged if Kelly agrees to the bout.
“Two weeks ago, Top Rank approached Matchroom, and we are still waiting on a formal yes from you,” Zayas wrote. “We have a date, a venue, and TV in Puerto Rico ready to go and only waiting on your formal yes.”
Zayas also disputed a claim regarding where the fight could take place. According to Zayas, earlier discussions included feedback from Kelly’s side that staging the bout in the United Kingdom would not work financially.
Kelly answered the post shortly afterward and rejected Zayas’ description of the negotiations. The British fighter wrote that offers have come from his side and said he is willing to travel to the United States if the fight is arranged.
“This is some lies here,” Kelly said. “My promoter is the only one making offers to you. We are willing to come to the US to make the fight.”
The 23-year-old Zayas (23-0, 13 KOs) recently captured the WBA 154-lb title with a 12-round split decision win over champion Abass Baraou on January 31, 2026, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It wasn’t the prettiest performance from Xander, as he moved around and held a lot. He did enough to win a close decision and now holds the WBA and WBO belts at junior middleweight.
Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) defeated IBF 154-lb champion Bakhram Murtazaliev by a 12-round majority decision on January 31, 2026, in Newcastle, England.
Unified junior middleweight champion Xander Zayas publicly challenged Josh Kelly over negotiations for a potential three-belt fight at 154 pounds, saying his team already contacted Kelly’s side and is waiting for a formal answer.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist who has covered the sport since 2014, providing ringside reporting and technical analysis of major bouts. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments, and the details that shape high-level competition.