5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce - New York. Newcastle. New World Champion?

Episode Date: January 30, 2026

Can Josh Kelly add his name to the growing list of British world champions? He challenges Bakhram Murtazaliev for the IBF super-welterweight title on Saturday. Matchroom CEO Frank Smith joins Buncey to preview the fight, with Kelly himself on the pod as he bids for his first world title. We also hear from his trainer Adam Booth, plus heavyweight prospect Leo Atang.

This is Five Live Boxing. On Saturday night in Newcastle and New York, there were five world title fights. Josh Kelly fights background Murtazale of in New York, and Shakur Stevenson and Tiafimo Lopez fight in Madison Square Garden in New York, the Garden, the Big House. And that, by the way, is an American super fight. Obviously, I opted for Newcastle. To be part of Five Lives Commentary Team with Josh Taylor,

live from 9pm on Saturday night. I'm Steve Bunce and this is 5 Live Boxing. So I want to start my show, if you like, in Newcastle with Frank Smith from Match Room. Now, Frank, I happen to know that you've only just landed from New York where you can actually report, if I'm not mistaken, just how cold it was there. Oh, I've never been so cold in my life.

I don't think I dressed appropriately for it, but yeah, I mean, I'm glad to be in Newcastle. You give you Miami kit on? I did. I had a few linen shirts, a few linen trousers. Six linen shirts doesn't work. And a couple of pairs of gloves. Lovely.

I want to ask you a little bit about Shakir and that fight at the weekend because obviously Eddie Hearns there, you're here. But I want to plough straight on with this. I want to play a little theme that I heard you're talking about earlier on, that if Josh was to win, having already had Doughton win, and if Hamo Williams wins his battle, Madison Square Guard,

that means you could... There are three world champions from debut to title in one month. That's going some, in there. It is, it is. But this is the sport we're in. It's about investment. It's about believing in fighters

and developing them in the right way. You know, Dalton Smith, what a night that was in New York. I'm envious. I have said, it was probably one of the best nights I've had in boxing. So, yeah, coming off the back of that, for Josh Kelly, look, Josh Kelly has got a real test, but just like Dalton did with Subaru and Matisseus. You know, these are two proper fights

where they've been given real tests. It's not an interim champion going up and getting elevated. two proper fights and then Amo Williams against Adama's. Look, we all know how good Adamas is, how good he looked against Hamasasasas. But I feel like this is Ammo's time. So three new world champions just in the first 31 days of January. That's not bad, is it?

We must know what we're doing. Yeah. You're not dragging me into that. But I mean, that would be a good year, if you don't mind me saying so. Going back to any time in the last 25 years, that would be a good year, let alone an extraordinary month. Josh Kelly, and we're going to hear from Adam, boo from we're going to hear from Josh Kelly in a moment.

But Josh Kelly, has he got a harder task than Dalton Smith had, or a harder task, and Emma Williams has got in Madison Square Garden? Oh, is that me just reading too much into it? I think every fight on its own merits can be, you know, like, subreal Matthias was the bogeyman that people didn't want to fight, you know. Before the fight, he was the bogeyman. Exactly, just like Mercer-Lyves is. You know, and they've all got their own, you know.

Mercer-Lyves had 15 months, I think, out of the ring, you know, and that does play into it, you know, especially as you get. get further into your career, but you can't write, the best man's going to win on the line. And you always need a little something, don't you? A little bit of luck, like the guys may be struggling in a way. I mean, that's just the reality of guys that pull off good wins. Sometimes we call them shocked, sometimes we call them just good wins.

Mertzelli, there's not, there's a man a big man. He's a big man. Nice smile, though. He's got a lot. Yeah, well, I think this, I won't be deceived by that smile, does me. He's not punching me, so I'm not too fussing about the smile. You keep me distance from a man like him. But he's big, Frank.

I know that the Eastern Europeans are a little bit like the Cubans in the sense that they always look a lot bigger than their actual weight, but he looks real big. Yeah, look, he is a big lump. He's a big lump. Lump is a good use of term, you know. But, and that's why he's done what he's done to people, you know, like Tim Zoo Fight, you saw the performance there.

But Josh believes in himself. You saw the confidence up there from Josh. You know, it wasn't like in those face-offs, in those moments sometimes, you can see a fight. Because you're closer than I am, you can sense it. Yeah, you can feel, yeah. One of these guys doesn't really want it. Yeah, yeah.

You know, look, that's easy for me to say, by the way. I'm not getting there and getting a fight. But you're expert seeing it. You can get that feeling. Yeah, of course you can. But you had two guys up there that truly believe they're going to go in and win on Saturday night. And that's what makes a great fight.

It is what makes a great fight. Now, I caught up with Josh Kelly and he was, well, I've got to be on to him, he was unbelievably relaxed. I think since I've made this jump to 1-554, I've just become more relaxed in general, you know what I mean? A different man I'd like you say visualisation is a big key

I just, I've already seen the fight hundreds of times in my head. I know exactly what I do with so I see it even sometimes I'm just sitting there in the back of my mind it'll just pop in and little clips will run by it so I feel like I fought them 100 times before getting there so there's no sort of situation what would be

foreign to me in the ring. You know looking back on 2020 which was a strange old year, getting close to fight having this and then not happening, then fighting in the next year 2021. Had you beat in Evanessian in 2021, would you be as good a fighter as you are today? No, no, you know.

That's what I said. I said, that needed to happen for me to grow and become the person they are. Because if I had to beat him then, it would have only blew up. A fighter to have after him, it would have only blew up. So it would have just become a problem what was ongoing, which I was suppressing.

And I didn't know. God's work in his ways. I didn't know that. It meant that now. Right, this is your time now. It's going to come around in circle. and now it's time to do this. Do you ever think it wouldn't come round?

No. Because of our dark, long days or did you have absolute confidence? Well, immediately after, I know, you just sort of stuck in a bit of a weird place, but, like, when I went up 154, when I started developing the team I've got, when I started working on my own mind

and everything else, I just become, I believe I'm one of, if not the most talented person to come out of Britain, at the moment, especially at the moment. everyone's got two arms, two legs and if they can't operate the same way I do and they haven't got the rhythm and the ability I have

why can't go out of them, there and beat them. There'll be people listening to this on Five Live who are thinking it's only seven pounds, it can't make that much difference. Just to explain, just to give people an idea of how hard it was for you

to make the world to wait a limit. Imagine waking up, your lean as a being already and you're looking at the scales and you've got maybe 13, 14 pounds to shift in one morning, in one morning, Mike, because I used to do it on the morning of the weighing

because I didn't want to feel too bad and get a bad night's sleep, so I could have done half and half, but when I used to do half and half, I used to sit there and it used to be, I used to dry up, and it used to be harder to get the second half off when I woke up, and it was just terrible.

It's like waking up on the morning of the way and like 30 and 14 pounds over when you're going to these fights. Yeah, it's a stone. Like, as someone to take any normal person now, I say, listen, to go. To take three or four pounds off?

Yeah, like going that bath and going here and we're going to take a stone off you, they'd be like, are you joking? I was like, I used to do that, and I had nothing in it, so it was crazy. But of course, that was all part of what was wrong with you, or the way your mind was at the time, you thought that was normal? You felt, you felt... It was like, that was, like, you're like being a bit of a weight bully.

I was big for the weight, and I was starting to grow out, and it wasn't fully mature. I was starting to put muscle on, and I just thought, yeah, these days are gone now, one-four-seven. I was like, I should have definitely moved up earlier. Yeah, earlier, but was it... Without that, I wouldn't be the person at my house. So I give all thanks to that.

Now, it's going to be a lot of atmosphere in there. And you're only human, so there might be some pressure. What are your plans going in to last 12 hours, lost six hours, last two hours? That's going to be. I mean, it's going to be fantastic. But at the same time, it's pressurised. I mean, like I say, Steve, like pressure comes from the outside.

It doesn't come from within. So it's like you're walking down the street and you start thinking about how you're walking. You start thinking about I'm walking weird, or you're driving a car and you're thinking about how you're driving or you'd be driving the car normally and a police car coming behind

and you'll think, oh my God, all right. Have I been weaving? Yeah, what's this? What's that? Have I? What have I? And then you start driving a bit weird. So all these things are outside factors. If you just keep yourself calm and relaxed

and realize what all of us in the full entire world are just bits of mass just walking about and doing our jobs and everything's like me. Like these, the money, money is tickets for life experience like they give you that money and you can do that

so if you've got the money you can do more things what you enjoy in your life and if you haven't got the money it's I heard a good quote the other day it was like you've got to be grateful for everything you have because if I'll give you two sheets of paper I put them on side listen you're a millionaire you've got everything you want every one you want

but all the people you love and all the people who's around you're family and your friends will pass or they'll be not taught you anymore or on the other seat the people we've got you here the way you are, everything you've got now right, friends, family, everyone who loves you

which one would you pick? And it's obvious you're going to pick the second one. So it's like you've already got everything you need to be happy everyone always wants more but I believe I'm grateful for everything you've got. So that Josh didn't exist a few years ago did he? No, that Josh, that was a different Josh, that was the Josh that lost £12 a day

that was the one that lost £12 a day a few years ago. And that was the one what, there's a fine line between wanting to win, wanting to win too much and that one wanted to win so much. I remember going to football when I was a kid with my dad and sometimes he'd say right now this is a big game, the scout's out watching you, and this and that, and I'd go on and I'd be like, putting silly

challenges, you're meeting stupid passes, and I'd be like, what am I doing, trying too hard, but then... Just enjoy yourself. If he said, Josh, go out and relax and enjoy yourself, I'd just go out there and play, like, a young Maradonna or a young Roy Keene, I used to be unbelievable. So is that the last bit of advice you'll get to do? You'll give yourself for your dress room. Josh, just go out there and enjoy yourself? Enjoy myself,

enjoy every second and every minute. what's a point in life you don't enjoy it? Like you know, Steve, we're not here for a long time. I'm not seeing waste things in life, no. I've been given a talent, I've been given a gift. So why don't just use it and enjoy it and just enjoy every second and be grateful for everything? Not many people leave and get the World Title Shop,

but when I win it on Saturday it'll be like, right, I'm a world champion. And a good win against the High Champion and no one wants to fight. Exactly, exactly, and that builds for a better story. Well, I'll grab you up in the ring because I'm confident, I'm alongside you. Now a point he made there, Frank, and I agree with it completely, is that had he lost the David Avanessian back in the world to wait for the European title back in 2021, he wouldn't have been the fight with us today. He needed that loss to get where he is today, which I think is absolutely fair comment. Yeah, for sure. But again, I don't know whether I said in this interview or another, like, it's just how fickle this sport is, right? So we moan the people aren't fighting people, then they test themselves in real fights, then they get beat, and then they're finished. And it's like, what do you?

you want from this sport? What would you like? Because if you get easy fights and they win them all, you're not happy. And if they get beat, you're not happy. But, you know, in Josh Kelly, you've had someone, I've known him, as I said up there, I've known him for 11 years, even prior to us signing him, even prior to him going into the Olympics, I got

to know him. And he's someone who's matured later on. Absolutely. You know, in their professional career. The last couple of years. Absolutely, I'm on your side. And everyone's different. Everyone goes through different things in life. Everyone takes things differently. And I think you'll see on Saturday night the most mature version of Josh Kelly, someone who's prepared and ready to go in there and become a

world champion. Does he have to take risks? Yeah, of course he does. I mean, look, he's taking a risk in the fight. But you're not accepting the fights of risk, yeah. But that's the game we're in. And there's so many fighters who wouldn't take risks, who wouldn't put themselves in that position, who just go, oh, that's a bit tough, isn't it? Hence why I'm not that's alive, hasn't had any fights in, you know. We forget that. It's not because he had a broken leg or broken arm. It's because people don't overly want to fight him.

So, yeah, you know, it's a risk, but that's what we're in this game for. And I also spoke, Frank, to Adam Booth, and he brought up something that I find really interesting. He knew I'm talking to Adam Booth, who's as relaxed, as you'd expect, as Josh Kelly. The Avanesian defeat was essential, and it's... Exactly what he's just told me.

And it's... But it's similar to when David had lost to Carl Thompson. Without that loss, he was never... No. He would never have never gone to do. Absolutely. And there's so many similarities in this. The reasons are slightly different,

but ultimately the end results the same. He's completely at ease of himself the most comfortable and confident in himself. And I keep saying to him, it's all about you. Josh is the better boxer in this fight. He's the more complete fighter of the two. He's actually a much bigger problem

when he's in his flow state than anyone. So he just has to protect his own space and realize just to ignore anything else, turn down all the volume and just focus on making himself the best he can be, not just technically physically and in the gym, but also in life. And he's done a lot of work with Stephen Green as well.

And I think now we're seeing the evidence of it, that the biggest challenge of his life, and he is at ease more than any other fight. It is amazing that thing, that parallel you made between him, losing to David and Vanessa in 2021, and David Hay, losing out of the blue to Carl Thompson. Ironically, both at Wembley Arena.

Oh, shoot, yeah. And both with me throwing the towel in, in the fifth round. Well, you know what, that's something I'd overlook, but I'll nick that from you. Don't worry. On the night, I'll make out I invented that. Because you're absolutely right. David doesn't become David without that loss,

and Josh will not become the Josh he's going to be without that loss. Exactly. And it's very cliche to say things like that, you know, if he doesn't bring. But there's so much detail in the, I wouldn't even say, rehabilitation, just the evolution of a young man. One's a kid, then one's a man. And they become men during that loss.

That's a good thing. to say, Josh is not a boy now, he's a man, at ease with himself. But Murtazalev does do a lot of dangerous things, in the sense he's strong, he's bullish. What are his strengths? If you're sitting down, analysing them with your team, not with Josh, with your team, what are you going through? He covers a long range with his straight shots. His arms aren't actually as long as I thought they were. He makes them look longer by the way that he moves.

He takes a big step sometimes. He's strong-armed. You can see his faith. and his faith plays out that he leaves everything to a higher power so you're not going to necessarily get to him mentally without earning the right No fake tables being thrown

no it's all wasted energy but ultimately you know I've seen Josh in the ring with much higher level bigger fighters and Josh gets to them mentally with his boxing skills with his movement and with the little things that he

does and that's why I'm saying to George, look if I remove myself from being involved and I know Josh and what I understand about motorcelli have and I match the two together, I can see how it plays out. Yeah, and as you say, once he hits that flow, and he's always had that

even before he sort of became this new Josh, once he hit that flow, amateur or pro, it's a dangerous flow for his opponents. Yeah. Everything seems to fit when that happens. Yeah, that's it. And he's fortunate that he has that. And And now he understands that when you have a flow state IQ, like Josh, you don't need to think.

Actually thinking interrupts your biggest asset. Yeah. And that's that expression sometimes. They don't know what they're going to do. Let them just go. He has no idea. And those are the best fighters, the ones, you don't, he doesn't know what they're going to do. They can prepare, they can practice, but they don't know what they're going to do. They're just, it's just natural.

But I will tell you now as a coach, they're the biggest headache because you can't swim. Because you got my command. I might see something and there might be a command for what I'm watching and how I want to navigate that for him and then it'll just change and all of a sudden I'm coaching a completely different fighter with a completely different style

and I have to shut that command up before saying it and give the other one and so I've had to evolve as a coach because I've got a fight that can spin a lot of plates and when he goes from one to the other it's about rubbing out the little mistakes that he was making when he was going from one style to the other it would be boring if all the fighters were the same

wouldn't it be boring if they were all the same You'd have hair. And they'd have, well, yes, if they all listened to what you said, and they all did what you planned, wouldn't it be boring, Adam? I'd have good night's sleep. No, you wouldn't. You would. You'd much prefer this way.

It's what we do. It's what you guys do. Yeah, I'm not philosophical. I'm exhausted at the moment. I can't be philosophical. That's the cold. Adam, listen, it's a pleasure to talk with you. Speak you later right.

Thanks, sir. So the line that Adam brought up there, which I particularly like, is that it took a loss by day. David Hay against Carl Thompson in a fight. He was meant to walk to make David Hay the fighter he became. Do you need to take that call, Frank? No, it's fine. It's fine.

We do these as live, so if phone calls come in and then... There's been a lot of phone calls in my pocket, so I had to check if it was. You still are one phone, man, by the way? Yeah. Oh, good. I like that. I'm nervous people with fun. We're not going anywhere.

So what Adam Booth was saying there, and I agree of it, and I completely agree of it, is that David Hay became David Hay because he lost the Carl Thompson, because he underestimated Carl Thompson, because he was taking. He needed that proverbial kick up the backside, just like Josh did against Avanesian. But that's where you develop. Yeah, of course it. That's not just... But that's also in all of our lives, isn't it?

Yeah, of course it is. We all need tough things. Whether we're boxes, wherever we're... It doesn't matter what it is. Van drivers, whatever we are, yeah. It doesn't matter what it is. We all need those moments where you go, oh, this isn't good enough. Or I need to change or I need to improve, I need to do this.

You know, it's just the fact is these guys and girls do it in front of a huge global audience and are ultimately written off by people. On their, yeah, whereas we can do things, maybe not you because you're a global superstar. Thank you very much, darling. Thank you. We can do things and get judge less. I still get judged. I felt, I wrote some things over the Christmas period going to the new year, saying I was a little bit disappointed last year by some of the judgments that were laid on boxes,

by people that maybe should know better. From people inside the industry, it's okay if it's anonymous people online, but a lot of people, and this is a bit of an off on a tangent here. and I was going to talk to someone about this. I've found some just the people that work in, or work across boxing, openly calling boxers cowards or bottle jobs. These are strong expressions, Frank,

that professional people shouldn't be using when describing other professional people. Yeah, I think the lines are blurred now, though, what is professional and what is, you know, what's an opinion, what's a fact, what's an opinion, and where do you stop? You know, it's easy for all of us to say, oh, this person's a coward, this way.

You know, like you get in the ring and do it. Absolutely. Or under that much pressure. They should have done this. They should have done that. You don't do it. You know, it's a... But look, that's what makes boxing so fun, the divisiveness of it.

Everyone's got an opinion. That's why we love it. I'll tell you what makes boxing so fun. When you stand in front of Leo Atang, right, who looks about seven. Turns out he was 19 recently. I thought it was 21. He looked most upset when I said he was 21.

A little chat with Leo Atang. And I tell you what, if you want to hear a refreshing voice and see a refreshing face, also a kid that can bang. Have a little listen to Leo Attang. I know it's been good getting three first rounders, which is everyone, I think everyone's dream start, but I know that's not pro boxing at end of day.

The pro boxing is you're going to go over these long rounds. You do need the rounds. You do need to learn, but if it comes, it comes. At the moment, just keep on doing what you're going to do. Although saying that, this Bussetti is fighting. I mean, he's really seasoned. He's a character, he's tough, he's rough. He can be beat early, but he can push some really.

good fighters. So it's a deep, I know it's a guy that's lost more than he's one, but he's a tough guy that's lost more than he's one. You know what I mean by that. That's it. Like to the casual fan, they'll just see it as, oh, who's your fighting? He's lost loads. No, it doesn't work that way. To people in boxing, they'll know that, yeah, I'm not saying he's a well contender, but it's definitely a step up and a step I want to make as well. Someone who's tough, someone's going to give me challenges. I've got to work out the puzzle as well, so I'm excited for it. And that's a great line there, to work out the puzzles. There will come a time when you hit someone on the chin and he smiles at you.

It will come a time when you hit someone with a good body shot and he laughs at you and then it's the fourth round. That's when you have to work out the puzzles. Exactly. And that's where I feel I'm quite blessed in that because I came from the lighter weights and stuff like that. I wasn't used to banging people out so I've been used to, you know... Working a little bit. Yeah, exactly. Boxing and... But you're breaking the heavyweight code there. You're giving, you know, you're saying how easy it is for big heavy weights that can bang compared to if you're a middleweight or a Super Middle. You'll get thrown out of the heavyweight union. You really will, yeah. Watch yourself. Ban from the club, yeah. And I tell you what, if you don't mind me saying so, it's a good club at the

moment, isn't it? British heavyweight is a good club. Being a heavyweight in the world at the moment, in a prospect, it's got to be one of the best jobs in the world, isn't it? Potentially. Seeing like, because you've got fighters all over the division at every level, and at every level it's stacked as well, so there's plenty of fights to make. Britain and the world, that's the same thing. Britain and the world, and at each level it's stacked, so there's plenty of fights to make, So if someone wanted to make the fast route, they can. If someone wanted to take their traditional route with each title, they can as well. So that's what's so good about it.

With you moving up through weights, as you said, you know, being 20, you're still 21, yeah? No, I'm 19. 19. 19? traditional route because I know that obviously I believe myself I back myself all the way but I'm also I'm not high up in the clouds and in fairyland but I know I know that there's a lot of work to do and a lot more steps I need to take to get there so I'm happy to go that traditional way and during the last six or so months have you felt or the last year or so have you felt a change in your in your strength

because I mean I saw you in 2004 at the harangay box cup in a final against I think it's a Frenchman or something like that New Zealand New Zealand yeah tough as anything and the two of you in the third round it was like you're in treacle you were, it was brilliant listen, I saw AJ in the same type of fight all those years ago at the same level. So have you felt a difference in the last year or so? Have you felt like that? I mean... We're called man strength. You know what I mean by that?

I was, I think 95 back then. I'm about 100, 107 now. So I've put a bit of size on. Still probably more to come as well, a lot more growing to do. But I still feel fast. I still feel elusive just like I was when I was lighter. Leo, listen, it's a pleasure to talk to Jen. Happy birthday for yesterday when you were 19, not 21.

Thank you very much. So one thing about Leo Attang is that fact. He's 19. So he's not 20, 21, 22, which would be really young for every way. 25 would be young for every way. Frankie's 19. And he seems to realise that he's still a kid. And I like that in him.

Yeah, for sure. I think we always, you know, when you looked at it for the first fight, and at the buildup around it, you remember we had our rebrand launch on his first fight. We had him and Frank Bruno and Anthony Joshua together. I was there. I was in the room. Past, present, future, yeah. Because Joshua was, do you remember Joshua was iron him up?

Josh was like, because he's a bit like that. When he's not ready for him, yeah. Yeah, no, no, exactly. I remember I was there. It was good fun. To go on these journeys with these fighters, it's a bit like when we mention Josh Kelly, Ammo Williams, Dalton Smith,

winning world titles from their debuts. That's the fun of this. He's taking someone from there all the way through to the top. Look, Leo is a long, long way to go. Yeah, of course. But he's got the smile, he's got the looks, he's got the ability, and he's enjoying himself. And the key...

Imagine when he gets his man strength? I mean, you know, it's probably, I mean, he's stronger than me, he's 19. So it's a bit worrying, really. But look, he's such a nice kid as well. And, you know, that's a big part of it. You want to work with people you like, and that's what he is. That's the kill. That's what, over the last five of six years, I've come to that realization.

I only want to work with people I like. Frank, I've got to ask you, you obviously been out in New York. That's what we talked about at the top. Shakir Stevenson this weekend against Tiafima Lopez. I think 25 years ago, this would have been a super fight. I mean, you and I think it's super fight now because we're in, massively inside this boxing bubble. But 25 for a year ago, this would have been,

this would have been up there with the others. That's my opinion, I really mean that. But I think we're also spoiled there. We are spoiled. We are so spoiled. You know, we're spoiled for choice. We're spoiled for the fights that are being made. But look, Shakur looks to become a 4-8 world champion, you know,

and that's amazing to think at his age. 24 fights. Tiafima Lopez, brilliant fighter, entertaining guy inside and outside the ring. It's going to be a real fight. and a fight we're looking forward to. But, you know, Madison Square Gardens, that big room. We don't see too many fights in there.

And by Saturday night, this will be sold out. So it's going to be some atmosphere. But I'm glad to be in Newcastle to see Josh Kelly become a world champion. Then we go across to New York after that for another big night. And then Josh later in the year, we could be outdoors, couldn't we? You got Keirondon McDonough, who's local... Sold a load of tickets, you know? But, look, again, I was talking about the Lewis Ritson days.

You know, the days we used to the night. They were fevered, weren't they? Fevered. And also, look, no disrespect to Lou. get to that world title level, you know, that Josh is in the position of and the ability to do. When you see the knights that were created here, that were some of the best nights we've had. So yeah, I'm excited about the opportunity here. Listen, Frank, it's been a pleasure. It's always a pleasure talking to you. I'm pleased that

you made the pilgrimage from New York to here. We'll leave Eddie over there because he's probably at a boy. He had the wrong clothes, didn't they? Tell the truth. He had his summer bag, didn't he? He was going out shopping every day for new club. Of course he was. Some rascal bits in there. Rascal winter clubbing. Frank, thanks very much for your time. Now, when you're at a big event, a way in or a big press conference or just in a hotel lobby, you always bump into people, Mike Tyson and Saudi Arabia walking around in these budgie smugglers, that type of thing.

Well, I bumped into Antcrawler. Thankfully, he was not wearing a pair of budgie smugglers. It's far too cold in Newcastle. And I wanted to ask him about the main event and also about his new signing, Kieran McDonald. Listen, we're societal fights aren't meant to be easier. However, you know, Josh is going in there, a pretty big underdog. But I think he's in a good position to be in because there's very, very far. few people in all

honesty outside of his camp who expects him to do it but I just think there's a few things in his favour you know Saliev is not boxed in 14 months 14 months long time when you're an active fighter it's a long time is an absolute

giant at the way we've seen him all week he looks like he's he's done his weight cut from the start of the week and imagine he still has more to take off when I saw him earlier I didn't know it was him at first I thought that looks half like him then I'm thinking now it's a it's a small like

heavy, a big super middle. Totally. He's absolutely huge. And listen, I have no doubt he'll rehydrate. It'll get in that ring, huge. But will it take a bit out of him? And I think Josh has got the style. I'll listen to early on.

I won't be surprised if Josh stuns him early on. Wouldn't be surprised I even puts him over early on. But we'll see then if Josh capitalises from that, then does then, if he does. A little bit. Because I think Josh is a different fighters since then. Does it then become a little bit Avanician where he starts walking down? That world-to-weight kid from Avanesean.

I was talking to Adam Booth about this and talking to Josh about this. And they both said the same, they both came up with the same line. Yeah. He wouldn't be where he is now. How he beat an evernessy? Totally. I know it sounds like a bit of a joke and convenient, but he needed that loss to be where he is at. I agree totally totally.

And I think the move up in weight was needed. I know a few years ago, I think the move up in weight was needed. So he's only seven pounds. So people listen to this who are not necessarily mad boxing people who might go, seven pounds, not that much. Well, it's a life line. When you're like drying out, when you're, you're taking off those last few pounds. Listen, each pound feels like a stone.

I mean that. So, yeah, it's a... Listen, I think, listen, Josh is an underdog on Saturday, but I think he's a very live one. Yeah, I think he's a very live one as well. Because also, I mean, I hope... When you win a World Tour, you know, you've done it. You always need a little bit of luck and a little bit...

Of course you do. So you need the home crowd. You had that brilliant, and you had... And what's more, you handled that home crowd? You had that home crowd and it didn't threaten you or worry you, it just gave you a lift. He fed off it, yeah. Exactly, so you have the home crowd.

Then you have something like the guys may be a bit struggling at the way or he's been inactive or something else. These are the things I'm thinking. You need little things, don't you? Of course you do. It doesn't matter how good you are, as you've always been told,

you always need a bit of that look to in a world title. Whether it's on the way up, whether it's in camp, whether it's on the night. And there might be a few of those things what we're talking about where he's getting that little bit of look. And listen, if he gets it great. But I've talked to him. I've been around him a while,

I've been around fighters an awful long time. And even ones that you know really well who are friendly with you, they were a little bit edgier on the Thursday before a fight, than they were the Thursday before, two weeks for. I mean, I was in an ice tank with you going down about minus 270, right, and you were really relaxed.

If I'd have been with you two days before Lomachenko, you probably would have been edgy. That's the way it works. But I just sat with Josh Kelly, whatever is, 100 hours before the first bell. And he might be one of the calmest fighters I've ever seen. It just seems strange. It looks in a great place and you imagine that comes from how well camp's gone.

Yeah. Because you can't like it. No way. Adam's great, Adam and his team around is a great team. Adam, very shrewd and I think they're quite confident. I do and I think I feel a lot off that. It's going to be a good fight, huh? Very good fight and...

A bit of a sleeper, like a bit under the radar. I'm fainting it. And what I say, like you say, with Josh, everyone's gone on about how talented he is and I know, I remember the first time he turned with Adam. We remember being in Scotland, Ricky Burns was fighting. I don't use that the table, actually, and I do him, like, you see,

Adam's a great coach, great, but he went, this lad's as good as anyone I've ever coached. He's almost said that, Adam. Yeah. He's still, well, let me just ask you a quick question about Keir MacDonald.

We talked about how he should have been at the Olympics, without a doubt, and he's a, so he's a senior amateur in the sense, he's what, 26, 27, 28? 28, so he's 28, yeah. So there's no way,

there's no messing, messing around. No. He's not like Leo Atang, the young heavy weight. He doesn't need three years, four years, does he? I think, and listen, I think he is, he is going to have to be fast-tracked, obviously, not just the age, but at that weight, they get moved a little bit faster.

I'm not saying, listen, I think there's a difference between being fast-tracked and rushed, however. Good point. There is a little bit of a little bit of a rush on with him, but I think he's good enough to deal with that. I really do. I really think he's, I've been lucky enough, obviously to coach, but also to train alongside so many talented lads. Kieran's up there with the very best. It's always a pleasure talking to you, and as we've been talking here, the lights are Newcastle outside there, outside this. glass house. It's got a bit darker in the 10 minutes you and I have been on this balcony.

It's nice being in a good city, isn't it? Mate, and this is, I think this is a proper fight city. I think they, yeah, what a city. I think everyone goes on about the night out here, but yeah, it's a proper northern place. I have to fight itself, yes, a proper northern place. And this is a pleasure. Always. So thanks to aunt, Frank, Leo, Adam and Josh. I know it sounds like a boy band. It wasn't unintentional. Now the undercard will be live from 7pm on Sports Extra and the main event with me and Josh Taylor at ringside will be from 9pm. Now if you want to do one of those things we have the TV on over there and your laptop here and your phone here that's easy from 9pm on BBC 2 you can

watch Fran Hennessy fight live from somewhere in London. Anyway that's just an option I'm giving you. I'm Steve Bunce and this is 5 live boxing. We're going to go out there and lay it all in the line. And skill collide. In Super Bowl 59. Five lights for NFL. Listen on BBC Sounds.