‘Ryan trains thinking he can beat me, I train knowing I can beat him’ - River

River Wilson-Bent…fighting Kelly for Commonwealth silver belt

IT is the fight every fan in the West Midlands is talking about – a true 50-50 duel between quality operators with a significant title on the line.

It has divided opinion straight down the line. It has sparked excitement. It is a “must see” showdown.

I only hope the Holiday Inn, Queensway, Birmingham, is big enough to accommodate the crowd that will gather on October 27 for the mouthwatering 10 rounder between Ryan Kelly and River Wilson-Bent, two men with mass support.

At stake is the vacant Commonwealth silver middleweight belt and, even more importantly, a passport to much bigger fights and much bigger titles.

Wilson-Bent – Coventry’s former two time English title challenger – is 12th in the domestic rankings, Kelly, from Chelmsley Wood, is 15th. In a combined 40 fights, they have only seven defeats between them.

For 29-year-old Wilson-Bent, tall and blessed with movie star looks, it’s his first outing under new trainer Paul Hudson at Coventry’s Red Corner gym.

When I spoke to the contender, he bristled with confidence over the battle ahead.

“He’s training thinking he’s going to beat me,” River said. “I’m training knowing I’m going to beat him.

“The belt is nice, the Commonwealth silver title is appealing, but what comes after the belt is also appealing. I’m not looking past the fight, but I’m aware of the doors it opens.”

Bent has drawn and lost on a majority decision to Tyler Denny in English title attempts. Those results have been given added lustre following the string of upset victories that followed for Tyler.

“One hundred per cent Ryan is a good fighter and he’s bringing out the best in me,” said River. “He’s said the fight is made for him – I don’t know how. I’m a big middleweight, I feel he’s a light-middleweight. He does things well, I do things better. I fight at my best when I’m fighting a good opponent.”

Ryan Kelly…Chelmsley Wood fighter with huge fanbase

River’s aware of the contest’s huge significance.

“It is going to be a barnstormer,” he stressed. “Coventry v Birmingham, it’s a local derby. It should be a TV fight, but it doesn’t matter to me. Whether it’s on Sky or DAZN or not on any of them, I’m going there to win.

“Ryan said he asked to fight me – happy days. We’ve wanted the fight for a long time. We went to (manager) Jon Pegg and said, ‘what about Ryan Kelly?’ He’s the one I’ve wanted. Whatever he brings to the table, I do better.

“I feel I’m blessed at the minute. I have a new training team and I’m learning new things. You think you know it all, but you don’t know nothing.

“I’m fighting someone who is coming thinking he can beat me and that makes me work twice as hard.”

The new season has just begun and local fans have already been served a title epic in Scott Melvin v Mykey Lee Broughton. Another is only weeks away.

We really are being spoiled.