Representing Great Britain, Kelly won a bronze medal in the 69kg category at the 2015 European Games in Azerbaijan, losing in the semi-finals to the host nation's eventual champion Parviz Baghirov.[3]
The following year he was selected for the Rio Olympics, where he lost in the round-of-16 to Kazakhstan's Daniyar Yeleussinov who went on to win the gold medal.[4]
Professional career
Kelly's first fight as a professional was a six rounds points victory (59-55) against Jay Byrne (4-1) of Dublin in April 2017 at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on the undercard of Ricky Burns vs. Julius Indongo.[5]
Kelly won his next two fights in the next two months, defeating Spain's Jony Vila (6-1) and Gateshead's Tom Whitfield (4-1) by fourth-round stoppage and first-round knockout respectively.[6][7] The Vila fight took place at the Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham in May whilst the Whitfield fight took place at the Walker Activity Dome, Newcastle in June, with his fight being the main event.[8][9]
Kelly finished the year with a record of 5-0 after victories over Mexico's Jose Luis Zuniga (13-2-1) and France's Jean Michel Hamilcaro (25-8-3), winning by second-round stoppage and sixth-round stoppage respectively in October and December. Those fights took place at the SSE Arena, Belfast and the York Hall, London.[citation needed]
Kelly vs. Robinson
On June 1, 2019, Kelly fought Ray Robinson, who was ranked #13 by the WBC and #15 by the WBO at welterweight. Kelly was ranked #9 by the WBA at welterweight. The contest was even and ended up in a majority draw, with one scorecard going in favour of Kelly, 96-94, while the other two read 95-95 twice.[10]
Kelly vs. Campos
In his next fight, Kelly fought Wiston Campos. Kelly won the bout via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 99-90, 99-90 and 98-91.[11]
Kelly vs. Avanesyan
In his next fight, Kelly fought highly ranked welterweight David Avanesyan, who was ranked #6 by the IBF, #7 by the WBC, #9 by the WBA and #10 by the WBO at the time. Avanesyan showed to be the better man on the night and finished Kelly within six rounds.[12][13]
Kelly was scheduled to face Liam Smith at Wembley Stadium in London, England on 21 September 2024.[15] On September 13, 2024 it was reported that the latter withdrew due to illness.[16] On 16 September 2024 it was announced that Smith was replaced by Ishmael Davis.[17] Kelly won by majority decision winning the two judges awarding the fight to him and the third scoring it as a draw.[18]
Kelly vs. Biea
At Newcastle Arena on 6 June 2025, he defeated Flavius Biea by first round stoppage. Kelly knocked his opponent to the canvas and, although Biea, got back to his feet, the referee decided he was not fit to continue and waved off the contest.[19]
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