Kelly’s big plans put on hold by title draw

Kelly (left) and Warburton looked in superb shape at the weigh-in

RYAN Kelly’s big title plans have been stalled after he and Welsh southpaw Gerome Warburton fought to a stalemate on the big Bolton bill last night (Friday).

Instead, Chelmsley Wood’s Commonwealth silver middleweight champ faces a re-run with the Colwyn Bay prospect, his belt again on the line.

After 10 thoroughly entertaining rounds, the judges scored a draw. Phil Edwards had it 96-94 Warburton, Steve Gray saw Kelly ahead 97-95 and Darren Sarginson couldn’t separate the pair with a 95-95 tally.

Arguments over the decision will no doubt rumble on. Former world champ Barry Jones, providing ringside analysis for Channel5, had 30-year-old Kelly two rounds ahead going into the ninth.

I felt it was desperately close down the stretch and Kelly may well be kicking himself in the aftermath.

There were early rounds when he needed to let his hands go more and stamp his authority. He allowed Warburton to get a foothold on the contest.

The bout was a coming of age for Warburton, who had lost only one of 16 going into the contest, but faced far inferior opposition to Kelly.

The 28-year-old, who goes by the predictable ring nickname The Bread Maker, showed desire and grit in his biggest night.

With the result in the balance, both men served-up a scintillating ninth round, taking it in turns to deliver hard punches.

Warburton detonated a crunching left hook only to be nailed by a heavy uppercut from Kelly.

The 10th proved to be decisive and I thought Warburton took it with his better work in the first half of the session.

Kelly came blazing back in the last half minute, but it was not enough to seal victory.