Q&A by Pattee Mak | June 7, 2014
Who doesn’t love a win in the first round? Talent and only 22 years old, heavyweight, Danny “Smooth” Kelly (6-0-1) from Washington, D.C. showed everyone on Fox Sports 1 on Thursday, June 5, 2014 live at the House of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts promoted by Golden Boy what he is capable of. And that was a TKO victory at 2 minutes and 45 seconds into round 1. He had agreed to a 4 round fight against Eric Newell (7-3-2) of Pennsylvania but only need one round to finish off Newellat the House of Blues.
Pattee Mak: First off congrats on your successful stoppage against Newell. Tell me what happened right before the ref, Stephen Clark, called a halt to the fight?
1 Kelly: It was the same comb we were doing during training in the gym. Jab to the body, hook off the jab and a straight right hand. Then it was over and the ref called a halt to the fight.
Pattee Mak: After the referee stopped the bout, what was going thru your head?
2 Kelly: I was just excited because of the knockdown.
Pattee Mak: Was that your game plan going into the fight?
3 Kelly: To focus on the body and then knock him out and bring him down. It just happened earlier than expected.
Pattee Mak: We all know swing bouts and the waiting can be tiresome. What kept you focused in the back room?
4 Kelly: Actually I was in the back sleeping. By the time they woke me up it was already the TV taping. My hands were wrapped and I got warmed up and then they were bringing me out to the ring. So I really didn’t have no wait.
Pattee Mak: Was this the first time you were on TV and did you have any jitters going into the ring?
5 Kelly: I didn’t really have any jitters cause I wanted to make a statement.
Pattee Mak: Tell me more about this statement:
6 Kelly: That I’m the heavyweight and I’m coming and I’m a force to be reckoned with.
Pattee Mak: Is there anyone in particular that you’d want to fight?
7 Kelly: No I don’t have anyone in particular.
Pattee Mak: What’s next for you?
8 Kelly: Right now I’m keep my options opened and hopefully get signed by a promoter soon and I’m looking to shake up the heavyweight scene.
Pattee Mak: Thank you for taking the time to speak to me about your fight.
9 Kelly: Thank you for speaking with me.
Pattee Mak: A special thanks goes to Ricky Womack for making this interview possible.