\n<\/p>\n
Kelly took 16 months away from the ring after his loss against Avaneysan to address his condition.<\/p>\n
He sought out some professional help but leant largely on friends, family and his faith to change his mentality.<\/p>\n
“My friends helped but God helped a lot,” Kelly said.<\/p>\n
“I spoke to certain people and eventually found this guy Steven Green who is a friend and mentor of mine now. <\/p>\n
“I was on a Zoom call with him about property and he said he could help with my mindset in boxing. I didn’t believe it until we did some deep chatting and he opened my mind up.”<\/p>\n
Kelly – trained by Adam Booth – marked his return with a stoppage victory against Peter Kramer and has excelled at domestic and European level. <\/p>\n
Wins over current British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Troy Williamson and light-middleweight Commonwealth and British champion Ishmael Davis sent a clear signal of intent.<\/p>\n
Now, on a seven-fight win streak, Kelly has been propelled to the world title stage and faces undefeated Russian Martazaliev for light-middleweight glory at the Utilita Arena.<\/p>\n
“Boxing training is probably 90% physical and 10% mental but it flips the other way on fight night and I’ve got that nailed down,” Kelly said.<\/p>\n
“I’m that strong mentally now that no one can come near that and I’m locked off. I don’t just believe it but I know it to be true. <\/p>\n
“The time I had off was needed so I could sort myself out and fulfil my potential. Now I feel strong. I’m not cutting as much weight and I feel mature.<\/p>\n
“Back then if you asked me whether I’d be competing for a world title now I would say you were crazy. <\/p>\n
“It’s about faith, belief and putting trust in the right people around me.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n