Josh Kelly fight with David Avanesyan cancelled as manager accuses welterweight of faking illness

Sunderland-born welterweight Kelly, 24, was due to fight tonight on the undercard of Kell Brook's bout against Michael Zerafa.

But the fight in Sheffield has now been cancelled after Kelly fell ill overnight with "a bad virus".

He told SunSport: “I’m wounded I really am it’s getting worse and worse."

"It's fresh at the moment. I’m still a bit emotional and my pride is hurting but I need to be 100 percent to box not 30 percent."

Yet Avanesyan's team believe it to be a lie.

The Russian boxer's manager Neil Marsh accused Kelly and trainer Adam Booth of being "bottle jobs".

Marsh wrote on Twitter: "I've never in my life spoke badly of any fighter but trust me @JOSHPBK and @boxingbooth are complete bottle jobs.

"Their behaviour has been disgusting."

Brook, meanwhile, is also likely to fight Amir Khan after taking on Australian Michael Zerafa.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the highly-anticipated bout will happen.

Hearn told Sky Sports: “I believe the fight will happen, and I think it will be done before the end of the year.

"I'd like to get it done before Kell's fight with Zerafa and we can get them both in the ring. I believe it is Amir Khan's birthday, December 8 as well.

"If we are going to get it done for February or March, we must get it done before the end of the year."

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