Caoimhin Agyarko will challenge IBF light-middleweight champion Josh Kelly on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s return bout against Kristian Prenga. The Belfast-based boxer, who was born in London to an Irish mother and Ghanaian father before relocating to west Belfast at age seven, has made becoming Ireland’s first black world champion his primary objective since beginning his boxing career at seven years old.
Agyarko, who turns 30 this year, switched to professional boxing in 2018 after winning Irish and Ulster honors as an amateur. His path to this title opportunity has included significant setbacks both inside and outside the ring. A stabbing attack in May 2017 left him requiring emergency surgery, but he has attributed his resilience to overcoming this and subsequent career obstacles. Recent quickfire victories in spring 2025 culminated in a split decision win over Ishmael Davis at Windsor Park, though he was forced to pull himself off the canvas during that bout.
While a planned final eliminator against Brandon Adams in Las Vegas in April was cancelled when the American collapsed before weighing in, negotiations with Kelly’s team led to the current matchup. Kelly, 32, represented Team GB at the 2016 Rio Olympics and holds a record of 18 wins, one loss, and one draw from 20 fights. He captured the IBF title in February by defeating Bakhram Murtazaliev, knocking him down in round four before weathering a ninth-round knockdown himself.
Agyarko trains at Holy Trinity, a Belfast boxing club that has produced multiple world champions including Anthony Cacace and Lewis Crocker. Both Cacace and Crocker won IBF titles, with Cacace claiming his first title in Saudi Arabia during the first Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury clash in 2024. Agyarko’s coaching team includes Michael Hawkins Jr and former world title challenger Stephen Smith, with Michael Hawkins Sr providing additional guidance.
Agyarko has expressed confidence in his approach against Kelly, stating his plan is to employ continuous combinations rather than single punches, utilizing his head movement and footwork to overwhelm the champion rather than engage in reactive exchanges.
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