The Liam Smith vs Josh Kelly middleweight clash is going to be an absolute treat to watch for its brilliant display of boxing. Come September 21st, 2024, two would go toe-to-toe at Wembley Stadium, London, in an event the entire town is waiting for. With their two contrasting styles and tracts of history involving thrilling fights, Smith and Kelly are just about ready to give the memories of a lifetime.
Liam Smith: The Battle-Hardened Veteran
Liam Smith is the former WBO super-welterweight champion (2015 to 2016) who brings a bag of experience to the bout. With his rugged style complemented by a strong right hand, he has been able to make a name for himself in the ring. Smith, 33-4-1 (20 KO), has often been challenged in numerous bouts but seems to be able to outlast them.
Key Statistics for Liam Smith
- Age: 36
- Weight: 72.6 kg
- Height: 177cm
- Reach: 176 cm
- Knockout Percentage: 60.61%
- Stance: Orthodox
Smith’s style of fighting is very aggressive in nature as he puts pressure on his opponents, cuts off the ring, and unleashes heavy blows. His experience and toughness make him difficult for anyone to put away.
Josh Kelly: The Rising Star
Flashy and aggressive in the ring, Josh Kelly is a rising star at middleweight. The hand speed and power have excited many fans in what has been an action-filled performance thus far for Kelly. Kelly’s record currently stands at 15 wins, of which 8 were knockouts, 1 loss, and 1 draw showing glimpses of what he could be as a future world champion.
Stats to Know for Josh Kelly
- Age: 30
- Weight: 69.9 kg
- Height: 178cm
- Reach: 183 cm
- Knockout Percentage: 47.06%
- Stance: Orthodox
Kelly’s fighting style is built off his ability to land quick combinations and overwhelm opponents with his speed and power. While his aggressive approach does make him vulnerable at times, it is what makes his fights very exciting.
The Matchup: A Clash of Styles
The two fighters’ contrasting styles make for an intriguing matchup, as Smith is an accomplished pressure fighter, while Kelly is fast and packs power into his punch. Kelly’s aggressive approach may just play right into Smith’s hands, who can counter him with his right hand over Kelly’s guard. Conversely, Kelly’s hand speed and ability to land combinations may prove difficult for Smith to take.
Key Factors to Watch
Smith’s ability to pressure Kelly and cut off the ring; Kelly’s hand speed and ability to land combinations; Smith’s power and accuracy; the defensive liabilities of Kelly, and the mental game that will be played from both fighters.
This is a fight that is tough to call for a winner. Smith and Kelly are both capable of winning the fight likely by split decision the determining factors will be who gets to enforce their game plan and alter their opponent’s style the best.
The Bottom Line
This Liam Smith vs Josh Kelly fight is going to be quite exciting and very competitive. Both fighters bring different abilities with them, and thus, this fight is left totally unpredictable. I look forward to a highly dramatic contest that won’t likely go past the 7th round.
Update
Liam Smith pulled out due to health reasons, substituted by Ishmael Davis
On the 16th September, Liam Smith pulled out of the fight due to a viral infection. In an interview, Smith said “I have a virus right now and my ribs are in good pain from all the coughing. I’d be cooked if anyone landed a light body shot on me right now.” Ishmael Davis was immediately announced as his replacement and fans have even more reasons to be excited by this this Josh Kelly Ishmael Davis fight.
Ishmael Davis, AKA The Black Panther is an English native aged 29years 5 months and boasts of an impressive clean record of 13-0-0. Weighing 6907 kg and fighting out of Leeds, Yorkshire, Ishmael is a fine orthodox boxer with a strategic approach to his bouts.
Although The Black Panther might not be the type of player you’ll bet on to finish his opponent with a knockout, he certainly poses lots of threats with the way he outfights his opponents. As earlier mentioned, he is a very strategic fighter who knows how to derail the tactics of his opponents to his advantage.
Certainly, this will be a close call as both boxers are yet to taste defeat for over 2 years. However, I fancy Ishmael to clinch a win here. Keeping aside all bias and the hype around Josh Kelly, The Black Panther is a better overall fighter. The odds are around 2.736 for a win for Ishmael and worth grabbing. If you still haven’t, sign up for a BetSpider account today to win big with this boxing prediction.