Josh Kelly has several options following his sensational victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev to become the IBF super welterweight world champion.
Kelly dropped and stunned Murtazaliev to win a maiden world title in Newcastle on Saturday.
The 31-year-old had to climb off the canvas himself in the ninth round, but composed himself to take a majority decision victory over the previously undefeated Russian.
Later on Saturday, Xander Zayas overcame Abass Baraou by split decision to become the unified WBO and WBA titlist and called for a showdown with Kelly.
“Kelly just won tonight,” Zayas said.
“If he wants to get it on by the summer, I would like to invite him to Puerto Rico or New York.”
‘PBK’ has already signed to face WBA interim champion, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.
Ennis is hopeful of landing a clash with Vergil Ortiz Jr, but has opened the door to a meeting with Kelly or Zayas, should a meeting with Ortiz fail to materialise.
“If I don’t get the Vergil fight,” Ennis told Matchroom Boxing.
“154 is mine.
“So anybody with a belt and he [Kelly] got a belt, so he can get it.
“And anybody else.
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“Even the winner of tonight with Xander and Abass Baraou.
“It don’t matter.
“154 is my division.
“I’m ready to take over.”
Kelly became Britain’s sixth active male world champion with victory over Murtazaliev joining Lewis Crocker, Fabio Wardley, Dalton Smith, Nick Ball and Jazza Dickens.
Apart from Zayas and Ennis, the Sunderland man is likely to have a keen eye on WBC champion, Sebastian Fundora who defends his title against Keith Thurman on March 28 in Las Vegas.
Matchroom CEO Frank Smith says he has been in contact with Sunderland AFC to stage a bout for Kelly at the 49,000-seater Stadium of Light.
