A mouth-watering British super welterweight title fight between Troy Williamson and Josh Kelly will “100%” happen. 

Kelly has confirmed, for the first time, that he wants to challenge the champion for his Lonsdale Belt, after the fight was ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control. 

Purse bids to stage the fight are due by August 10, with the contest to take place before the end of December. 

Probellum promoted fighter Williamson quickly made it clear he wanted the fight, but Kelly had not responded, growing fears he didn’t want the all-North East showdown. 

But Kelly has allayed those concerns and confirmed he wants to challenge the titleholder. 

“100%,” Kelly told IFL TV. 

“Troy knows I’m keen for it.  My Twitter account has been hacked so I can’t get on Twitter to reply to anyone, but 100% Troy knows I’m down for the fight – that fight will happen. 

“Before the end of this year, I’m hoping so, if not early next year.” 

Kelly takes on Lucas Bastida on Saturday night in Newcastle – headlining a card that features Pat McCormack and Lisa Whiteside – and Williamson will be at ringside to run the rule over his rival. 

The bout with Bastida is viewed as a tough test with a WBO regional title at stake.