TROY WILLIAMSON has pledged to ‘end Josh Kelly’s career’ as the pair prepare for their all-North East showdown for the British Super-Welterweight title.

Darlington’s Williamson will take on Sunderland’s Kelly at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Friday, December 2.

Williamson is the reigning British title holder, having seen off Ted Cheeseman in October 2021 and successfully defended his crown against Mason Cartwright in Newcastle this March.

Kelly, a former Team GB Olympian, claimed the vacant WBO International Super-Welterweight title when he outpointed Lucas Bastida in July, and is hoping to take another step towards a fully-fledged World title fight by seeing off Williamson.

His County Durham-based opponent has international ambitions of his own though, and is expecting to hand Kelly a huge setback when they meet in just over a month’s time.

“This is the fight I wanted,” said Williamson. “I like Josh, we’ve travelled together when we did the junior stuff, but it’s a business at the end of the day, and we’ll be getting down to business on December 2.

“I think Josh has had a good ride, and I don’t think he’s anywhere near done regardless of some people saying he might be - he’s still only a young lad.

“He had a lot of hype about him at the start of his career, but I don’t think he’s propelled as much as people thought he was going to. Now, he’s fighting for the British title, and it’s time for me to end his career. I do believe that I will do that.”

Unsurprisingly, Kelly sees things rather differently, with the Wearsider confident he will come out on top of the regional showdown, which will be televised live on Channel Five.

The Wearsider sparred with Williamson as he was progressing through the amateur ranks, and while he might not have achieved as much as his opponent in the professional sphere yet, he senses an opportunity to take centre stage when they next meet.

“I’ve boxed on big events, and I’ve been under the bright lights before, so I know what this feels like,” said Kelly. “I’m more experienced in that department and I know it’s my time now to go and take this British title with both hands.

“The North-East is quite a small place so you get good sparring where you can. Troy was good sparring, and we came through Team GB where we saw a lot of each other. I know the level of skill and desire I possess which makes this the perfect fight and perfect timing for me to take this. I’m raring to go.

“That British title is something that means a lot to anyone in this country. My eyes are also on the big, World titles as well, so to get there, you have to beat the likes of Troy Williamson.

“Ending my career? No that can’t happen. I’m only 28-years-old and I’m still young in this sport and Troy is older, so me winning this British title could be the flip side of what he sees, and I could be the one who ends his career. Where is he going after I take that title?”