Combat Report and Highlights: Josh Kelly Beats Bastida

Josh Kelly will be standing strong at the front after winning a sideline title.

Sunderland’s super-heavyweight is a must for Troy Williamson’s British championship but he has more pressing business to deal with on Saturday night.

Kelly against Lucas Brian Bastida at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, live exclusively on Channel 5, and comfortably over 10 rounds as he adds the vacant WBO International title to his collection.

‘PBK’ has been largely inactive for the past 18 months and needs rounds, especially as he settles into a new weight class.

It’s far from spectacular and never really lives up to expectations, but at no time did Kelly, trained by Adam Booth, look confused.

“I think I showed my discipline tonight,” Kelly said after the fight. “I’m here for all the great battles, including Troy.”

Tossing the ball in and out of range is Kelly’s game, and he did it brilliantly on his way to a unanimous decision win by a margin of 98-92, 99-92 and 96-95.

He caught Bastida, who was losing weight, with a good left hook the first time around, but Bastida mostly kept things tight as he tried to put pressure on Kelly.

The hometown man, 28, picked up the pace early on, looking to entice Bastida and counter-attack him as he moved forward.

A head-to-head clash was the only highlight and saw Kelly –– who had a brilliant combination off the ropes in the ninth inning –– suffering a cut.

But the most important thing for Kelly is that he’s back on the horse and back in contention for the title, having returned last month in Liverpool and gone through a lengthy hiatus after his sixth inning came to a halt. at the hands of heavyweight David Avanesyan back in February 2021.

You can check out the battle highlights below with the help of Channel 5 Sports: