A RAZOR-SHARP Josh Kelly has warned Gabriel Corzo he will be in a ‘world of trouble’ when the pair meet in a high-stakes clash in Newcastle later this month.

Kelly takes on the unbeaten Argentinian at the Vertu Motors Arena on June 24, with his eyes firmly trained on a World title shot in the not-too-distant future.

Sunderland-born Kelly is currently ranked at number two in the super-middleweight standings, is hoping to secure a World title fight against Jermell Charlo.

To make that dream a reality, he will have to dispatch Corzo, an unbeaten South American who boasts viable World title hopes of his own.

Kelly continued his preparations with a training session at the Booth Boxing Gym in Surrey at the end of last week, and knows a victory over the durable Corzo will put him within touching distance of a shot at the World crown.

Ideally, he would like that World title fight to be staged at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light next summer, but he accepts all plans will be out of the window if he does not do the business on Tyneside later this month.

The stakes could hardly be higher, but the former Olympian believes he is about to enter the prime of his boxing career and is confident the Corzo fight will mark the start of a life-changing 12 months.

“It is going to be an explosive performance on June 24,” said Kelly, who claimed the British title in December when he beat Darlington’s Troy Williamson in a high-profile all-North-East showdown. “My skillset, coupled with the way I am performing at the moment, means I can’t be matched.

“I am looking for the big names now. Having just turned 29, I am coming into my prime, and Corzo is going to be in trouble later this month. I know I will get the chance for this World title in the next 12 months – and I will win it.”

Unsurprisingly, Corzo begs to differ, claiming that it will be him rather than his Wearside rival who is taking a huge step towards a World belt.

“Make no mistake, on June 24 in Newcastle, Josh Kelly’s World title dream ends and mine gets closer to being a reality,” said Corzo. “I am not travelling all the way from Argentina to make up the numbers.

“I want my shot at the World title and Kelly is standing in my way of that, so he must be moved aside. I hope Kelly’s fans are prepared for the upset that is coming.”

Kelly’s meeting with Corzo headlines an impressive bill that will also see Liam Dillon and Qais Ashfaq battle it out for the British Super-Featherweight title.

North-East heavyweight Steve Robinson will trade punches with Franklin Ignatius in an eight-round contest, while Chloe Watson will hope to continue her journey to the top of the flyweight division when she goes up against Argentina’s Belen Valdebenito and steps up to eight round for the first time.

The highly-rated Codie Smith will bring a battalion of fans from Yorkshire with him for his latest bout, while Darlington’s Ben Marksby is planning to make a statement as he pursues his super-lightweight ambitions.

The Mikkel Kessler-trained Oliver Zaren will fight in front of a UK audience for the second time, with North-Easterners Luke Cope, Travis Waters and Joe Laws also featuring on the bill.