Kelly returns with textbook display

Ryan Kelly celebrates with supporters after comprehensive victory

RUTHLESS Ryan Kelly is back – and the fans’ favourite used science rather than savagery to record his first win following a 13 month ring absence.

On BCB’s Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, bill, the middle relied on textbook left-hand work to dominate tough Serge Ambomo, a muscled Cameroonian as wide as he is tall.

Referee Jamie Kirkpatrick scored last night’s (Saturday’s) six rounder 59-55, presumably giving Ambomo the last session when he bulled the Chelmsley Wood favourite to the ropes.

Kelly can today reflect on a thoroughly professional performance. He kept a solid jab in his opponent’s face throughout and refused to get drawn into the kind of trench warfare the Sheffield based African wanted.

Getting the show back on the road was everything – and 29-year-old Ryan can now begin his ascent towards lucrative title fights.

In the dressing room afterwards, he said: “I knew I had to keep him at range, I felt I did what I had to do.

“If I’m honest, I didn’t agree with the scoring. I thought I won every round, but he did try to put it on me in the last.

“I’d like a rematch with Brad Pauls (the then unbeaten prospect Kelly lost a highly controversial decision to last time out), but I know that’s not going to happen. There are definitely titles out there for me, and I’m not just talking at British level – there are continental titles.”

Kelly, in his 21st contest, showed the maturity that comes with ring years. Footwork was excellent, concentration never wavered and the left hand was delivered with authority and regularity.

That incessant jab prevented Ambomo – an individual built like a pitbull – from setting up anything or bullying his way into the fight.

In short, it kept him respectful.

Kelly’s trainer, John Costello, said: “We told Ryan it was about the left hand and he did that, he kept the jab going. I believe he’s good enough for top titles, I know he’s good enough for top titles.”

Kelly (11st 8lbs 5oz), much taller than his opponent, set the blueprint for the absorbing contests in the first. Jabs threaded through Ambomo’s guard before left hooks dug into Ambomo’s flank like a harpoon.

By the second, Ryan was dipping his knees and delivering that pin-point lead to the body. He apologised in the third after a clash of heads brought blood spilling from Ambomo’s nose and by the following session the visitor was caught by right uppercuts as he trudged forward, poker-faced.

Ambomo (11st 8lbs), taking part in his 59th contest, was caught by a cracking straight right in the fifth and also shipped a right downstairs.

But the 36-year-old gamely rallied in the last, pinning Kelly to the ropes in the dying seconds and connecting with one clubbing left on the bell.

Ryan won and won widely without fuss or drama. Ring rust was clinically removed in the process.

Now much bigger tests beckon.