Monday 4 December 2017 17:51, UK
Josh Kelly believes he is ready to step up in his fifth professional fight and is unfazed at the prospect of competing in a scheduled 10-round contest on December 13.
'PBK' is set to face 36-fight veteran, Jean Michel Hamilcaro on the undercard of Katie Taylor's world title defence against Jessica McCaskill, at York Hall, live on Sky Sports, and is confident that the team around him have chosen the correct bout next, despite only having completed 13-rounds in total since turning professional in April.
"[Trainer] Adam Booth and [promoter] Eddie Hearn tell me what to do," Kelly said on Chronicle Live.
"I just keep working hard. I don't call people out I just do my job in the ring and graft in the gym.
"People are talking about European and world titles for me and I'm only 4-0 and just 23 years old, there's plenty of time but I'm excited about where we're going."
Kelly's stablemate, Ryan Burnett, became IBF world bantamweight champion in his 17th contest after defeating Lee Haskins in June, before unifying the titles against Zhanat Zhakiyanov one fight later and adding the WBA 'super' strap.
The pair have formed a strong friendship outside the ring, and Kelly feels the Northern Irishman has already proven to be an inspiration on his career in the short time they have trained together.
"I've been alongside Ryan Burnett in the gym and I've seen what needs to be done to reach the top," he said.
"I'm ready to put that work in. My fitness is there, I'm starting to turn into a man, so I want big fights and I am confident that when I land them I'll win them."
Watch Taylor vs McCaskill, Conor Benn, Martin J Ward and more, live from York Hall, on December 13, live on Sky Sports Action and Mix (6pm) and Sky Sports Main Event (9.45pm)
