Troy Williamson v Josh Kelly is the “best match of the year” in British boxing, according to trainer Adam Booth.
Kelly, 28, challenges unbeaten Williamson for his British title on Friday night in Newcastle.
“I don’t think there has been a better match this year in British boxing,” Booth, Kelly’s trainer, said.
“It’s not 70,000, but what you have is one of the best games I’ve been in.”
Booth coached world champions George Groves and David Haye, and has coached Kelly since turning pro in 2017.
Rio 2016 Olympian Kelly has rebuilt his career since lose to Russian David Avanesyan in 2021 and won his last two fights.
Williamson, 31, is undefeated in 20 fights – with 19 wins and a draw – and believes rival Kelly is not cut out to steal his title.
“I think he lacks heart, I think it’s in people,” Williamson said.
“One thing is certain, it’s in me, but we’ll see on Friday if Josh has it, because I’m going to take him to deep waters.”
Williamson and Kelly bickered throughout a heated press conference Wednesday and shared an intense final showdown at the weigh-ins.
Kelly thinks Williamson would be a “dumb man” to try and dispatch him, but Booth insists his fighter is under no illusions about what the big-punching champion can do.
“Troy Williamson, great amateur, undefeated pro and has proven what he can do,” Booth said.
“We are not disappointed, we know exactly what Troy Williamson is.
“We’re also extremely confident that people haven’t seen what Josh Kelly is yet. It’s a fascinating game.”
