JOSH KELLY is in line for a series of domestic blockbuster fights if he can see off Argentinian Gabriel Corzo in Newcastle tomorrow evening.

Sunderland-based Kelly is currently number two in the World super-welterweight rankings, and the reigning WBO International title holder.

A victory at the Vertu Motors Arena tomorrow would give him every chance of securing a fully-fledged World title fight.

However, his promoter, Kalle Sauerland, is also eyeing up the packed domestic super-welterweight roster and envisaging a series of high-profile domestic bouts that would give Kelly the opportunity to raise his standing considerably.

The former Olympian, who is nicknamed ‘Pretty Boy’, won the British title last December when he beat fellow North-Easterner Troy Williamson, and is part of a group of domestic fighters who are all threatening to make their mark a world level.

“Josh is the World number two, and a win on Saturday night will put him right there in line for the title,” said Sauerland, who is one of the key players in Kelly’s promotion company, Wasserman Boxing. “But you only have to look around Josh’s weight domestically to see some great fights for him.

“Look at the names around the weight, such as Kell Brook, Chris Eubank Junior, Liam Smith and, potentially, Conor Benn. You can quite easily get a Super Six tournament together.

“These are exciting times for Josh Kelly. I can see opportunities emerging for Josh in the World title route later this year, but there are also these domestic blockbusters.”

First, though, Kelly has to see off Corzo, a largely unproven Argentinian who nevertheless boasts an unbeaten 18-0 record.

Corzo is taking a step into the unknown, having never previously fought outside his homeland, whereas Kelly will benefit from the support of a partisan North-East crowd.

The Wearsider is confident he will outperform his opponent, and was in a bullish at the pre-fight press conference earlier this week.

“There are levels to this game, and especially so when you reach the top echelons,” said Kelly. “Corzo will be swimming with the sharks essentially on Saturday night. It’s going to be a long night for him.

“For me, it’s like he’s a lamb to the slaughter. I’ve seen him, and I know what he brings. I’m just going to show different levels again.”

To this point, Kelly has largely been excluded from the biggest super-welterweight fights on both the domestic and international schedule, but provided he keeps on winning, that situation will become increasingly difficult to sustain.

The Wearsider feels the likes of Eubank Junior, Smith and Benn have been avoiding him, and is adamant he merits more respect than he is generally afforded.

“There’s some huge names there, but I think I already deserve to be in amongst those names,” he said. “I’m here to be World number one and to get the belts. That’s why I think people are avoiding me – not necessarily wanting to avoid me, but not wanting to put me in the mix when I already belong there. I easily belong amongst them.”

Unsurprisingly, Corzo sees things rather differently, and is confident he can spring a surprise tomorrow.

The biggest win of his career to date came last August when he beat his countryman, Walter Castillo, to claim the vacany WBO Latino Super-Welterweight title, and while his bout with Kelly represents a marked step up in standard, the 28-year-old is confident he can take it in his stride.

“I am undefeated, and I have come here to the UK to win,” said Corzo. “I’ve seen a few videos of him (Kelly), and I think he’s a really good boxer, but I’m just going to do my own fight and keep progressing through the rounds. I’m ready, and I know I can beat him.

“I’m aware that I’m the away fighter, but I’m going to work round by round. He has lost before – and he can lose again.”