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Josh Kelly has promised his IBF light-middleweight title defense against Kaohin Agyarko will be “fierce” ahead of their Saudi Arabia showdown on Saturday.
The fight is part of the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring against Christian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome.
Sunderland’s Kelly won the belt against Bakhram Murtzaliev in January and said Sky Sports Winning that title gave him added confidence going into the fight against Belfast’s Agairco.
Josh Kelly celebrates defeating Bakhram Murtzaliev to win IBF light-middleweight title
“It’s worth its weight in gold for what it did for me inside,” Kelly said of his win over Murtzaliev.
“It’s weird because, in training and everything, everyone says I just look different. These are the people I’m closest to, watching me go to work every day.
“It’s a crazy experience. You don’t know what something like this does for you, spiritually, energetically, motivation-wise, everything.
“It’s actually taken a lot of expectations off. It feels like now I can just loosen up, let go of the reins and enjoy everything.
“It’s knowing and believing. At first you have to believe, but when you complete the work, you know.”
Initially, Aguiarco was scheduled to face Brandon Adams in a final eliminator in April, but the American collapsed before the weigh-in and was unable to fight.
Instead of the IBF ordering another final elimination between Agyarko and Murtzaliev, Kelly was given the option of a voluntary first defense and a deal was made to face Agyarko.
“We know each other, but he’s just another opponent, basically,” Kelly said of Agyarko.
“He’s just another guy I get to deal with, a step in this journey to make more history. It’s not about him, it’s about me.”
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Caoimhin Agyarko says Josh Kelly’s ‘attitude and arrogance’ will be his downfall in their IBF super-welterweight clash this Saturday.
Agyarko’s last outing was a split-decision win over Ishmael Davis in December, while Kelly has eight wins since his only career loss to David Avanesian in 2021, including a title win over Murtzaliev.
“There is no complacency,” Kelly promised. “There is no more fighting than this.
“I’ve never overlooked anyone in my career. In fact, I overestimate every opponent – I make them the fastest, hardest-hitting guy.
“I want to do bigger and better things in the sport, and this is a dangerous time for me to face because I have literally nothing to lose.
“I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it, put on an absolute spectacle.
“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be boring.”
