Home Columns Sam Eggington open to Josh Kelly and Vergil Ortiz Jr showdowns

Sam Eggington open to Josh Kelly and Vergil Ortiz Jr showdowns

Eggington faces Baraou for European title on March 1

Sam Eggington admits he's open to future fights with Josh Kelly and Vergil Ortiz Jr Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions
Sam Eggington admits he's open to future fights with Josh Kelly and Vergil Ortiz Jr Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing/Tom Hogan-Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

Sam Eggington says he is open to domestic clashes with both Josh Kelly and Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Eggington vies for the European super welterweight title when he faces Abass Baraou on March 1 at the Telford International Centre, live on Channel 5.

‘The Savage’ believes a showdown with Kelly, who fights under the Wasserman banner on Channel 5, could be next with victory.

“I don’t really plan any fights out,” the Midlands man told proboxing-fans.com. 

“But I presume when I beat Baraou, I presume they’ll try and call that one and if they do we’ll sit down and mull over the offer and if it’s decent enough [I’ll take it].

 

“I’ve never turned down a fight, so there’s no way I’ll start now.

“But we’ve got to get through this one and that one is offered afterwards and it’s all fair, then 100% I’d take that one without fail.”

Eggington faces Baraou on March 1 for the European super welterweight title Photo Credit: Miguel Ferraz/Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER
Eggington faces Baraou on March 1 for the European super welterweight title Photo Credit: Miguel Ferraz/Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER

Ortiz Jr blew away Fredrick Lawson inside the opening round of his debut at super welterweight earlier this month after moving up from 147lbs.

Eggington is ranked at #15 by the WBA behind the unbeaten knockout artist and he would be willing to face the Texan.

“There’s some talks of him fighting [Tim] Tszyu,” the 30-year-old added.

“I’d get in with either of them, as long as the offers are ok.

Ortiz stopped Lawson in the first round earlier this month Photo Credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions
Ortiz stopped Lawson in the first round earlier this month Photo Credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions

“I’ve not watched enough of them to start picking them apart.

“But, 100% it’s fights I’d love to be offered.”

Baraou has won five on the bounce since his only reverse in a split decision loss to Jack Culcay in August 2020.

Eggington, who stopped the previously undefeated Joe Pigford in Bournemouth in May, admits he’s confident of inflicting a knockout loss on his German opponent.

Kelly is on Eggington's hitlist Photo Credit: Wasserman Boxing
Kelly is on Eggington’s hitlist Photo Credit: Wasserman Boxing

“My mentality is always you don’t get paid overtime,” he added.

“So the earlier the night the better.

“I 100% I believe [I can knock him out].

“His record is much better than Pigford’s, but it’s nothing I couldn’t have done.

“He had a decent amateur career, that goes without saying, but in the pros he’s done nothing I couldn’t do.

“So it’s one that I’m very confident of winning and I’m definitely going to drag him into places that he ain’t been before.”

Watch the full interview with Sam Eggington below: