Josh Kelly’s trainer has no doubts that his man can defeat Liam Smith next month.
Smith and Kelly meet on September 21, live on DAZN, on the undercard for Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois’ world title fight.
Smith is a former world champion, who has been in the ring with stars like Canelo Alvarez (who fights Edgar Berlanga live on DAZN on September 14), while Kelly is still rebuilding his career after a 2021 defeat to David Avenasyan.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Adam Booth believed that period of recalibration has pushed him forward.
"Josh is in his prime. The last two-and-a-half years have really been the most important progression mentally. He's learned a lot about himself and recovered from a lot of problems that he's had for years," he said.
"Ever since the first day he walked into my gym six-and-a-half years ago and he sparred Billy Joe Saunders, Andy Lee, Liam Williams, he proved then that he had the grade in him. It was just his mind and his mindset and his maturity and understanding of himself that needed to catch up.
"It did with the work that he's been doing. But now he is in his prime and I will genuinely match him against anyone."
He added: "Josh is a very big 154lbs, and Liam is a 154 who's just a bit older now. He's tough, experienced and rough enough to be a 160lbs fighter but the difference between 154 and 160 isn't that much.
"I expect, knowing Liam and knowing Josh, that the difference when they're in the ring will be about two pounds at most. It's an even match up and I think people will be surprised when the fight starts. Josh will be the one that looks bigger."
Booth believes that Kelly brings more power to the ring than ever before, which could prove the difference.
"You're going to see much more," he explained. "You won't see the same because the Troy [Williamson] fight was actually still part of his rehabilitation or evolution and understanding of himself and getting life into perspective.
"I know he can be hurtful. I know he's a lot tougher and a lot stronger than people realise, because of the style that he boxes.
"But also since the Troy fight, the bite that he's been getting on his shots in the gym and in the ring now is starting to show out and I think that September 21 will just be more of a progression.”
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