- Name? Jimmy Kelly
- Nickname? Kilrain. But it is my middle name from a kid. Named after Jakes Kilrain the bare knuckle boxer
- Record? 14-0
- Weight? Light middleweight
- Born? In a laundry cupboard as the hospital ward in Wythenshawe was full. I was born September so must have some hectic Christmas parties lol. Like Jesus. No room at the Inn so born in a stable.
- DOB? 01.09.1992
- Where are you From/live? From Wythenshawe and still on the mannor
- Favourite current boxer? Canelo Alvarez. He throws top combinations and is always patient
- Favourite all time boxer? Sugar Ray Robinson
- Favourite all time fight? Hagler vs Hearns all out war for 3 rounds
- Why do you box? Because all i have done since 4. I never made a decision to carry it on. It just happened and wouldnt have it any other way.
- How did you start boxing? My dad was a boxer and i use to go to the gym with him from being young and eventually started hitting the bag and that was that.
- Who influenced you at the start? My mum and my dad. Both encouraged and supported me and everything i wanted to do.
- What amateur clubs did you box for? JIMMY EGANS BOXING ACADEMY. Hotbed of talent back then
- What do you recall of your amateur career? I really enjoyed my amateur career. I won everything that there was to win. I use to love competing. But was always overlooked by GB when won 5 ABA titles. 20 fights but only had 5 points scored against me
- Why did you decide to turn pro? I just wanted a new challenge in life. I met Ensley Bingham and saw his British title and i instantly wanted one.
- How would you say your professional career has gone to date? It has been successful. I have won the WBC Youth World Silver title. My next fight is for the WBC Gold youth World title. But i want the ultimate prize
- What are you capable of achieving in boxing? Not in a cocky way or sound big headed but i am not in the sport to sell myself short. It would be an insult to everybody around me. So aimimg for the very ceiling
- Who are the people who will help you achieve your goals? I have good coaches. Ensley Bingham. Maurice Core. Dan Murray. People who have been there before. Im in good hands. My dad laid the foundstions and tool me right threw. My strength coach Johnno gets me as big and strong as possible for 11 Stone. Lots of people behined the scenes. John Marfleet does all my media work. Creative capture. Darren Lamb and Dave Copeland have done a great job getting my food in the door with the WBC. Steve Woods for the opportunity on being on his shows. My uncle Trev Lynch always keeping me sane. Down to my sponcers. Clint Leigh from Colossol Nutrition. Arthur Little from Number 1 Prestigue. Dave from Planet Surfacing. Jason Clark from Classic Paving. Adam Deering from Fairline Financial. And Abass from Complemed chryotheraphy. And everyone who has bought tickets and helped me out.
- What’s your training schedule and which parts do you most and least enjoy? When it comes to my training I don’t like to give much away. Just fight night theres no excuses and I will be more than ready. I like all parts of training. I get my confidence from what im put threw off Ensley and John Williams
- Describe your style? My own
- What is your routine on fight night? On fight night i go see my mum before. I take a blade of grass from her plot in the cemetery and put it in my handwraps with me. I just keep calm and Maurice Core always has the music on loud… after the fight on a high. I turn the phone off, grab the missus and rest is history
- What ring walk music do you use? I never use to have music. I use to say “im here to fight. Not to dance. You choose” to the production people. But it got daft when they started using Abba and Freddie Mercury so i changed to Stone Roses, Water fall. Great Manchester band.
- Do you like to take part or watch other sports? I use to do alot of Olympic Wrestling as a kid so still have a watch and like MMA and UFC. Im a Manchester United fan and love having a watch.
- Who is the toughest opponent you have faced amateur or pro? Each fight has been touch in its own way.
- Who is the best you have sparred with? I have sparred lots of good fighters over the years. And learned from each one (cards close to my chest 😉 )
- What is the best venue you have boxed at? Manchester arena on paper looks the best but i Love my Fortress at Victoroa Warehouse. Its like a bear pit in there!
- What three All British boxing matches would you most like to see made? Carl Frampton vs Scott Quigg would be an amazing fight. James Degale vs George Groves 2. I think Degale won the first and would easily win the second one. Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua. I think Tyson would tame him and take him into the later rounds for a good stoppage
- If you could be at just one of the above fights which one would it be? I would choose Tyson vs Joshua. Me and Tyson go back to being young kids and id love to see the big men up close
- Which current British boxer do you feel can become a global star in the next few years? I think that Tyson Fury would definitely become a star. I think Wladamir showed signs of slipping against Bryant Jennings and hes ripe for the picking. Tyson has the personality to become a mega star
- If you wasn’t a boxer what would you like to be? Not sure but anything i choose i would aim to be the boss and best in that field
- Family life and background? Mum. Dad and older sister Rebecca. Hard working Irish Family who had an amazing work ethic growing up. My parents worked to hard. We lost the MVP of the team in 2011. So its just the 3 amigos now. Me, Dad and Rebecca.
- Best friends in boxing? Theres no friends in boxing! Only kidding Our gym is full of charachters. Ensley Bingham. Maurice Core. Carl.Thompson. Dan Murray. Sam Hyde. Artif Ali. Taz Apergis
- When you are not boxing what do you do to relax? My missus is half Arabic and cooks amazing food. So try and learn abit of it. Other than that go out with the lads for food and mske the most of my unlimited cineworld card. Other than that take the dog out. Shes a babe. Little Staffy called Kelly. Everybody always laughs because shes called Kelly Kelly. I said im a Duran Duran fan so followed that lol.
- Favourite Holiday destination? Florida was amazing. But went Egypt in March with Jehan and did Mount Siani and Cairo and really enjoyed the history and that.
- Favourite TV programs? Sons of Anarchy. The Shield. Futurama. Simpsons. Im a big kid.
- Film? Im a big film geek. American Gangster. Anything with Denzel in. Hes the man.
- Music? Anything Ensley Bingham plays in the gym. His dancehall.
- Food? My weakness. Whatever i can get my hands on
- Gadget? My Samsung Alpha. Kindle fire.
- Website/App? www.jimmykellyjnr.co.uk
- Book? The Game. Recomended by a friend
- Football team? Red Army. Id love to top a huge fight at Old Trafford!
- Something no one knows about you? I shit with the door open
- Motto? You f**k with the Bull. You get the horn haha
- When is your Next fight, where and who is it against? Its against Isaac Aryee for the WBC YOUTH GOLD TITLE at thr Fortress! Victoria Warehouse 20th June
- Is there anyone who you really, really would like to fight this year? Anybody who has the British title. Thats on my to do list!
- How can fans get in touch with you for tickets? 07823 845 004 The ticket hotline. Twitter @J_Kilrain_Kelly
- Current Topic – Who would win out of Froch and DeGale if they met, would you like to see that fight? Degale is in the same position Carl was against super Joe. A young champion against the old Lion. Joe would have done Froch bsck then. And i think Degale would win a unanamous decision
