Thursday 19 October 2017 15:15, UK
Emerging star Josh Kelly's future seems naturally bright and the North East prospect owes a great gratitude to exemplary figure Ryan Burnett for it being so.
Kelly, nicknamed 'Pretty Boy', fights this weekend against tough Mexican Jose Luis Zuniga at Belfast's SSE Arena on the undercard to stablemate Burnett's mouth-watering unification clash with Zhanat Zhakiyanov, live on Sky Sports.
For the 25-year-old, partaking in just his fourth pro fight, it is a steady reminder of where he is at in his career and in Burnett, the destined level the amateur standout and Rio Olympian ultimately wants to get to.
"Working so closely with Ryan, it gives you an idea of what you need to do to achieve your dreams," the Sunderland welterweight says.
Burnett inspires me. I just feed off everything he does and that will only make me a better fighter.
"We have a great trainer in Adam Booth and I can't ask for much more in my career."
It is under the tutelage of the esteemed trainer that Kelly plans to continue his monumental rise, the sparring and focused work "couldn't be any better" he states.
Alongside Burnett, the likes of Charlie Edwards and Lucien Reid add to a thriving set-up where technical pugilism is a necessity.
Booth is the man guiding the pack, but IBF bantamweight champion Burnett is the fighter providing the inspiration, leading the hungry charge.
"The gym is buzzing all the time," Kelly continues, "the sparring and work we get through is immense.
"It is just an honour for me to be fighting on Ryan's undercard, I can't wait to see Belfast roar him on this weekend.
"Me and Ryan bounce off and push each other at every point of the day. It's all healthy competition, but we are always trying to better each other in whatever we do - admittedly, most of the time I lose out.
"He inspires me. I just feed off everything he does and that will only make me a better fighter."
Kelly steps up in class on Saturday, fighting over eight rounds, and despite the adulation and increased publicity coming his way, the 25-year-old is staying grounded.
"I could not have asked for a better start to my career, I've impressed and that's what I aim to do.
"Having the high publicity has been new to me but I want to keep the momentum going and continue to grow in the sport.
"I just take things one fight at a time, you really can't afford to take your eye off the ball in this game.
"I'm facing a tough, come-forward Mexican next and we know that they always come to fight. Eventually, though, I'll be able to hit him and when I do, we will see how he fares. It's all part of the game."
Kelly understandably has his own career to prioritise, but the Sunderland man has also been afforded the responsibility of reviving boxing in the North East, where there has been somewhat of a lull over recent times.
It is a local resurgence that 'Pretty Boy' is hopeful can carry success, aided further by Lewis Ritson's recent capturing of the British lightweight title.
"That's the plan," the welterweight remarks, "Let's bring boxing back to the North East, we're crying out for a big fight night.
"It's great to see Ritson doing well, he's got my support and I want all us local lads to succeed - the more the merrier.
"We're going in the right direction and I can't wait to have a big night at home, I'm sure it'll happen next year some time."
Watch Kelly vs Zuniga on the Burnett vs Zhakiyanov undercard, at Belfast's SSE Arena, live on Sky Sports Action on Saturday from 7.30pm.
