![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/01kgqvwps7ja9jjq46js.jpg\" "\\"Josh")
<\/p>\nJosh Kelly emerged as the IBF World Super Welterweight champion of the world on Saturday night with an underdog triumph over Bakhram Murtazaliev in Newcastle. <\/p>\n
The win improved ‘Pretty Boy’s’ record to 18-1-1, as he became a world champion for the first time in his career. <\/p>\n
Moving forward, Kelly has plenty of options in a stacked weight class at 154 pounds. One name that has been mentioned for the fighter is fellow Brit Conor Benn, who most recently had a brace of middleweight bouts with Chris Eubank Jr. <\/p>\n
However, when Kelly was asked about the fight, he had some less-than-kind words to say about ‘The Destroyer’<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Josh Kelly | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Josh Kelly says Conor Benn fight is ‘easy money’<\/p>\n
Speaking to TalkSport Boxing, Kelly was asked about his feelings toward a potential future fight with Benn. The recently-crowned champion started by saying, “Listen, we’ve been going back-and-forth for years. It’s a natural fight to make, especially with him coming down to 147 [pounds].”<\/p>\n
Although Kelly doubted Benn’s ability to make the welterweight limit, he was seemingly open to a bout with the 29-year-old due to the star power he possesses. <\/p>\n
“We’re both big names in the UK that would fill a stadium out in a second. The Stadium of Light would be filled out within a second.”<\/p>\n
Josh Kelly <\/p>\n
The Stadium of Light is home to Sunderland Association Football Club, with a capacity of almost 49,000. However, if Kelly were to fight Benn there, he feels it would be a relatively straightforward bout. <\/p>\n
“Give him his due [respect]. He’s come on in the last few years, in different things. He beat a shell of a man in Eubank in the last fight. I think, personally, it might be unfair on him, tossing him in there with me, at this moment in time.<\/p>\n
“I’m not sure he’s ever competed at world level, at the very top echelon, and people in their prime. So, for me, it’s an easy money fight.”<\/p>\n
Kelly’s coach, who was also present in the interview, agreed with his fighter’s sentiment. “He’s not in Josh’s league, he never has been, he never will be. I don’t think the fight will happen next because Conor knows that.”<\/p>\n
Although the trainer, Adam Booth, gave credit to Benn and his career thus far, he felt there was one clear option for Kelly. “The fight I would love next for Josh, without a shadow of a doubt or hesitation, is Xander Zayas in a unification bout at The Stadium of Light.”<\/p>\n
Xander Zayas, 23, currently holds the WBA and WBO titles of the division after defeating Abass Baraou last Saturday via split decision. <\/p>\n
The Latest Boxing News<\/p>\n
Tyson Fury Makes U-Turn in Deontay Wilder Feud: \u201cThis Man Is Lost\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Shakur Stevenson Slams WBC ‘Crooks’ After Being Stripped of Lightweight Title<\/a><\/p>\n Floyd Mayweather Jr Sues Showtime for Hundreds of Millions<\/a><\/p>\n