Senan Kelly Set for Career-Defining Fight Against Ben Marksby

Senan Kelly, the Irish welterweight champion, is poised for one of the most significant bouts of his career as he faces England’s Ben Marksby on September 5, 2023. This fight, part of the undercard for Michael Conlan‘s event at the 3Arena in Dublin, marks Kelly’s debut at this prestigious venue. Despite not having extensively studied his opponent, Kelly exudes confidence in his ability to secure a victory.

The Kildare native acknowledges that facing the undefeated Marksby represents a considerable challenge. Kelly has a unique approach to preparation, stating, “I don’t really go looking into opponents. You can spend hours looking into what they do, then all of a sudden they don’t box the way they boxed before and everything you worked on is thrown off.” He admits to having watched only a couple of Marksby’s fights, recognizing the English boxer’s skill but maintaining a laid-back mentality as he prepares for the contest.

Kelly’s unbeaten run in the sport, particularly over the last 18 months, has solidified his reputation within the boxing community. His strategy of treating every fight as the toughest of his career has been effective so far. “Every fight matters,” he explains. “If you lose now, you’re right back to the start—rebuilding. I want to keep pushing on, get bigger fights, and keep progressing.”

The fighter’s resilience was evident during his recent title match against Declan Geraghty in April, where he triumphed despite facing serious health issues leading up to the fight. “Everything that could have gone wrong in that camp went wrong,” Kelly recalls. He was on antibiotics and struggling to maintain his health in the lead-up to the match. Yet, he managed to perform under pressure, saying, “I don’t pull out of fights. Injured or not, sick or not, I’m going to be there on the night.”

While he won the title, Kelly reflects on that performance with a critical eye. “I don’t think I boxed that well at all. I still think I won, but I was only at 50 or 60 percent of what I can do.” The victory, despite the challenges, has provided him with renewed confidence heading into the fight against Marksby.

Looking ahead, Kelly is aware that a win could open doors to lucrative opportunities, possibly even at the European level. However, he remains focused on the task at hand, rejecting any thoughts of defeat. “I don’t think about losing. If you start thinking ‘what if I lose this fight?’, then doubt creeps in,” he states emphatically. His mindset remains centered on victory, a sentiment he has maintained throughout his career.

As he prepares to step into the ring at the 3Arena, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Kelly’s determination and confidence will be tested against one of his most formidable opponents to date, but he is ready to embrace the challenge.