Josh Kelly vs Flavius Biea weights, running order, ringwalks quotes, betting odds, TV channel
Josh Kelly vs Flavius Biea weigh-in results and fight schedule
Josh Kelly (16-1-1, 8 KOs) is back in action for the first time this year against the experienced Romanian Flavius Biea (24-1, 12 KOs) on Friday night, June 6, at the Utilita Arena Newcastle, live and free on Channel 5.
Eight-time national amateur champion with a record of 297-19, the experienced European Biea had no hesitation in accepting the offer to face "Pretty Boy" Kelly when a string of others repeatedly avoided the Sunderland star.
Victory will put the inactive Brit back in the frame to fight for a world title, while Biea – the reigning WBC Latino champion – knows he can catapult himself into major title contention with a shock win, in front of the nation on terrestrial TV.
Hard-as-nails Biea is on a 12-fight winning streak and his confidence is sky-high, but in Kelly he faces one of the sharpest, skilful, slickest fighters in the world, and the former Olympian plans to remind Chris Eubank Junior, Conor Benn and the rest of his rivals that he is coming after them.
How to Watch
6pm: First bout scheduled to start
7pm to 9pm: Watch on Channel 5 Action
9pm to 11:05pm: Watch on Channel 5
Weights and Running Order
6x3 Cruiserweight
Lucas Roehrig 198.3lbs
Sofiane Quoit 196.9lbs
8x3 Super-lightweight
Ben Marksby 142.6lbs
Nicolas Ariel Blanco 141.5lbs
6x3 Heavyweight
Matty Harris 269.5lbs
Dan Garber 225.11lbs
6x3 Super-welterweight
Dan Toward 155.2lbs
Connor Goulding 157.11lbs
8x3 Super-middleweight
Niall Brown 171.4lbs
Matt McCallum 168.9lbs
6x3 Super-featherweight
Tom Welland 132.2lbs
Reuquen Cona Facundo Arce 131.13lbs
10x3 Super-welterweight
Josh Kelly 156.11lbs
Flavius Biea 157.4lbs
8x3 Welterweight
Cyrus Pattinson 149.8lbs
Joe Garside 148.1lbs
6x3 Super-featherweight
Codie Smith 131lbs
Mario Portillo 132lbs
6x3 Bantamweight
Lee Rogers 123.3lbs
Charles Tondo 120.5lbs
4x3 Lightweight
J'Hon Ingram 140.8lbs
Tatenda Mangombe 137lbs
*Felix Cash has been forced to withdraw from Friday's show
Quotes
Josh Kelly: “Biea has shown he’s got what plenty of others in my division haven’t – the minerals to step up and fight me. You have to respect his warrior mentality but there are levels to this game, and on June 6, I will show him, and everyone watching on Channel 5, why I am world class.
“Biea will no doubt think he’ll be able to walk me down, but I’ll make him miss, and then I’ll make him pay.”
Flavius Biea: “I have absolutely no fear in facing Josh Kelly. I respect him and his skills but make no mistake about it, I am coming to win on June 6 and take away all those big fights he so desperately wants.
“Kelly says he’s avoided, and people are running scared, but not me.”
Kalle Sauerland Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman: “The heat is on, this June as we bring a compelling clash of styles to Channel 5. Josh Kelly is a world class operator and on the cusp of humongous fights, but he can afford no slip-ups against Biea.
“Kelly has devastating speed, Matrix-like reflexes and elite level ring IQ, while Biea has been willing to take on this challenge, when plenty of others haven’t – and that makes him extremely dangerous.
“This fight is laced with jeopardy for Kelly, but with home support in the North East, we expect him to make a massive statement.”
Betting Odds
1/20 Josh Kelly
20/1 Flavius Biea
40/1 Draw
