EXCLUSIVE: Despite Loss To Jaime Munguia, Jimmy Kelly Gets Backed By Tyson Fury, Roy Jones

Back in June, English boxer Jimmy Kelly faced off against high profile Mexican fighter Jaime Munguia. Kelly took some time to talk to FIGHT SPORTS and reflect on his performance.

Kelly’s father was an amateur fighter who boxed in Manchester, and he has memories of going to the gym with him when he was just four years old. Over the years he began to take part and train.

Kelly had his first fight at 11, and he would go on to box on an amateur level for eight years before going professional in 2012.

Kelly Vs. Munguia took place on June 11 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Kelly put up a good fight for the first four rounds, before ultimately being dropped by Munguia in the fifth.

This was Kelly’s second fight in the United States, and he discussed the hostility present at the California venue filled with mostly Mexican fans. Although he made it clear that this was something he has gotten used to.

“If there is one thing I don’t get affected by, it’s crowds,” said Kelly. “I didn’t feel it. I thrived off it”

Kelly was also very confident about his performance early on in the fight. According to him, Munguia was not the toughest opponent he has fought so far.

Kelly felt as though he was winning the fight and on his way to score high with the judges.

“I made a mistake,” he said.

“We were in a clinch. He had his forearm across my chest and his elbow was in my neck. As I parried to move it he came around and clipped me with a left hook.”

He also mentioned Munguia’s imposing size as adding to the challenge.

“Munguia is a big puncher. It was clear he put on weight. He felt really big.”

After the fight, Kelly got lots of support from fellow boxers including Juan Manuel Márquez and long time friend Tyson Fury, who he has known since he was a kid at his gym in Manchester.

“I appreciated the one from Tyson Fury because I have known him for so long. I appreciated the one from Marquez because he is a Mexican and wanted me to win.

Kelly also got a call from Roy Jones before the fight.

“I was just ready to leave for the venue, and then I got a facetime from him and he was giving us advice. That was massive as well, I grew up watching Roy Jones.”

This was only the third loss in Kelly’s professional career. The first came from fellow English boxer Liam Smith.

“It’s hard to compare them,” said Kelly.

“Smith is a patient pressure fighter that is on high guard, while Munguia is a little bit more wild.”

Now during his time off from boxing, Kelly stated that he is completely focused on his family.

“I have my son, my daughter, and my misses, my world revolves around them.”

Kelly is still very optimistic about the future of his boxing career.

“I still want that world title,” he said.

I’m 29, so maybe the clock is ticking a little bit, but I live clean. I don’t drink and I’m still in good shape. I still have a lot of miles left.

“I also like the [Erislandy] Lara fight, I think that could be very interesting,” Kelly added.