Senan Kelly shocked (but delighted) by O’Reilly call-out – sick of Irish fighters ‘making a joke of the sport’

Senan Kelly [2(1)-0] was delighted to see his name dropped by yet to debut pro Aaron O’Reilly recently.

Rather than taking offence the Boxing Ireland fighter was excited to see a fighter with a similar outlook to himself – and happy to see a willing domestic rival.

Kelly, who is just two fights into his pro career, believes a host of ‘good boxers’ from Ireland are ‘making a joke’ of boxing by continually taking on ‘bin men’.

The Leixlip native is keen to be challenged and involved in meaningful bouts as soon as possible, so in that regard is happy to have been called out.

“To be honest I’m actually delighted with the call out,” Kelly told Irish-boxing.com before nigh on laying into the state of the domestic scene.

“I think most of the cards in Ireland are filled with good boxers fighting bin men just to get the number of wins up, which in my eyes is making a joke of the sport.

“There’s no real competition there it’s just bollox.”

With that in mind the Pete Taylor trained fighter welcomed the yet to debut fighter’s call out.

“The kid has a set of balls calling me out for his debut and I respect that,” he continues before indicating he would like to trade leather with the former kick boxer as soon as possible.

“Hopefully my next fight we can get a date and put a good show on for the crowd. I don’t know much about him other than he done some kickboxing. As far as I am aware he’s a good boxer so I’m not underestimating him.”

Kelly didn’t take exception to O’Reilly calling him out, but was confused and a bit taken back with the reason for the name drop.

“The only thing I don’t get is why did he says he doesn’t like the way I go on on the Instagram? Fair enough if I was one those giving it loads, but I don’t think I’m like that? Or maybe I am and I don’t know!! Has me trippin'”

Kelly fought with a damaged hand last time out, but claims that is behind him.

The welterweight is hoping to be out as soon as possible and will most likely be seen on Celtic Clash 11.

“I’m hoping to get out as soon as possible,” he adds.

“I haven’t stopped training at all over the whole isolation. If anything I feel I’ve make some good improvements in my game, both skill wise and in my strength and conditioning, so I’m happy to fight whenever suits really. The hand injury is in the past, finally I haven’t had any trouble with it in the camp so far so should stay that way please God.”