Josh Kelly vs Gabriel Corzo Preview July 15th, 2023
Josh Kelly of Sunderland, England will be putting his WBO International Super Welterweight Title on the line this Saturday, July 15th when he takes on Argentina’s undefeated Gabriel Corzo. The 12-rounder from Newcastle Arena in England can be seen live in most nations on DAZN. Kelly last fought in December when he upset unbeaten Troy Williamson for the British Super Welterweight Belt by unanimous decision. Corzo was last in action in November when he beat Jose Acevedo by 10-round unanimous decision to retain the WBO Latino Super Welterweight Crown. Kelly won the vacant WBO International Title last July with a 10-round unanimous decision over Lucas Bastida.
Kelly vs Corzo Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Gabriel Corzo +700
- Josh Kelly -1250
My Pick
The 29-year-old Kelly carries around a mark of 13-1-1 with 7 Ko’s and has 99 rounds of experience under his belt since making his pro debut in 2017. He stands 5-feet-10-inches tall with a 72-inch reach and possesses average power with a current knockout ratio of 46.7 per cent. Kelly’s lone defeat on his pro record was a sixth-round stoppage at the hands of David Avenesyan in February, 2021 in a shot at the European Welterweight Title. His draw was a 10-round majority affair with Ray Robinson in June, 2019.
Kelly won the vacant WBA International Welterweight Title in 2018 with a 10-round unanimous decision over Carlos Molina and defended it against Kris George, Przemyslaw Runowski and Robinson. He stopped George after seven rounds when George suffered a broken jaw and broken hands. That bout was also for the Commonwealth Welterweight Belt. Kelly has also beaten Jose Luis Zuniga and Walter Castillo.
Kelly enjoyed a fine amateur career as he won a bronze medal at the 2012 AIBA Youth World Championships, won gold at the 2014 Heidelberg Round Robin Tournament, took bronze at the 2014 Golden Belt Tournament, the 2015 Bocskai Memorial Tournament and the 2015 European Games. He was also a quarter-finalist at the 2015 AIBA World Championships and participated at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he went 1-1.
The 28-year-old Corzo hails from Catamarca, Argentina and has never fought outside of his homeland as a pro. He makes his ring walk with a perfect mark of 18-0 with just 3 Ko’s and has boxed 97 rounds since making his pro debut in 2016. Corzo just over 5-feet-9-inches tall with an unlisted reach which puts him just half an inch shorter than Kelly.
Corzo lacks in the power department as his current knockout ratio sits at just 16.7 per cent and has gone the distance in 10 of his last 11 contests. He has faced limited opposition as a pro but managed to win the vacant WBA Fedebol Welterweight Title in May, 2021 when he beat Martin Ruiz by a nine-round unanimous decision. He then beat Ruiz by 10-round unanimous decision in a rematch even though he was dropped in the first round.
Prediction…
Corzo is basically an unknown boxer who has everything going against him here as he’s fighting in England and lacks power. This means it’s highly unlikely he’s going to stop Kelly or get a decision from the judges in the UK. Kelly has slick boxing skills and decent power and should grind out a victory to retain his belt.
Kelly’s power and skills should be the difference.
Play: Kelly -1250 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Gabriel Corzo betting • Josh Kelly betting