Josh Kelly vs. Caoimhin Agyarko | DAZN - 25 July 2026

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'I'm down': Kelly open to Ennis unification with Agyarko win

Provided he gets past Belfast's Caoimhin Agyarko this weekend, IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly is open to a unification with Jaron 'Boots' Ennis next.

Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) and Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) meet on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's heavyweight fight with Albania's Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The fight will be streamed exclusively on DAZN pay-per-view.

In June, Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs) stopped Xander Zayas in the seventh round of an exciting shootout for the Puerto Rican's WBO and WBA 154-pound world titles.

The win saw Ennis become a two-weight champion while moving him up to top spot in The Ring's junior middleweight rankings, while cracking the pound-for-pound list as a new entrant at No. 9.

Kelly has crossed paths with Ennis and his father/trainer Bozy before.

During an appearance on Inside The Ring, the 32-year-old remembered his 2019 draw with Ray Robinson who was training with the Ennis’ at their famous Philadelphia dungeon.

“If I get this win Saturday then yeah, I'm down. I'm down to fight Boots,” he said.

“I've got great respect for him. I shared the ring with - in my 10th fight and I was only 25 or 26 - Ray Robinson and thought I was unlucky not to get the decision but he was experienced. He was training with Boots and his dad Bozy, and it was a real experience in Madison Square Garden.

“I've matured tenfold on top of that now. They already know how I box, how and who I am so I'd love that. I’ve got utmost respect for Boots but this is a fight game and when it's me versus you, all the respect goes out the window. I'm in there to do a job and do my job clinically.”

The junior middleweight division has suddenly become one of the most high profile and interesting in the sport.

As well as Kelly and Ennis, fighters like the all-action, 6-foot-6 tall WBC champion Sebastian Fundora and Vergil Ortiz will have hopes of establishing themselves as the man to beat over the coming years.

Kelly respects his fellow fighters but puts himself at the head of the queue.

“I’m gonna say me,” he said when asked who is the best.

“I haven't showed what I've showed in the gym yet. I haven't showed the inside work, that technical ability inside. Taking my head out like [Roberto] Duran, trying to bully the guys inside, tying them up and moving them, getting my head in the right place, using my arms and blocking shots.

“I think outside of me I'd probably say the top two guys would be Boots or I mean, Fundora's a freak so Fundora's got to be in the conversation or Ortiz. So you've got them guys there but I put myself right amongst them, right amongst them in the mix.”

[SeanBrennan]

I rate this fight. Think it’s a really decent one.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I rate this fight. Think it’s a really decent one.

Best fight on the card

[SeanBrennan]

I rate this fight. Think it’s a really decent one.

Best fight on the card

Agree

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The IBF has approved Josh Kelly's super welterweight title fight with Caoimhin Agyarko this Saturday in Jeddah as a mandatory defense.

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Kelly: Title defense against Agyarko will be 'statement fight'

Josh Kelly has seen Caoimhin Agyarko smile far too much for his liking.

The 32-year-old Brit will get a chance to wipe the smirk off his opponent's face when they face off Saturday on the Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga card at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, streamed on DAZN pay-per-view.

Kelly, who won his IBF junior middleweight title by outpointing Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31, doesn't believe he gets the respect he deserves. But for his upcoming title defense against Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs), he’s sure the boxing world will pay more attention to him once he's finished dismantling his man.

“This is going to be a statement fight,” Kelly told The Ring during a recent sit-down. “I punch a lot harder than people think. That’s why Murtazaliev didn’t walk and start throwing punches, because you have to be careful. And I sat him on his ass. He needs to be prepared for the hardest, sharpest, toughest fight of his life.”

Agyarko, who’s ranked No. 4 by the IBF, has been waiting for his shot on the big stage. The 29-year-old Irishman grabbed a split decision over Ishmael Davis in his most recent fight last September.

That win didn't impress Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs). In fact, none of Agyarko's 18 victories have caught Kelly’s attention. From his point of view, Agyarko has fought decent competition, but this is another level.

“I feel like I’ve seen a lot of him,” Kelly said. “There’s things that he does in the ring that will not work against me. He’s not boxed anyone like me. That’s the true statement. Like no one remotely like me.”

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Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko weigh-in results:

Josh Kelly - 153.4 lbs
Caoimhin Agyarko - 154 lbs

All set for their IBF junior middleweight title fight in Jeddah

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Fight Night!

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Agyarko vows to 'run through brick walls' to beat Kelly

Caoimhin Agyarko feels the trials and tribulations he has been through, in and outside the ring, have prepared him mentally to track down and beat IBF junior middleweight champion Josh Kelly on Saturday night.

Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) will challenge Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) on the undercard on Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight fight with Kristian Prenga on DAZN pay-per-view.

When he was a 20-year-old amateur, Agyarko was on a night out in Belfast city center when he was attacked by a group and stabbed.

The knife cut down Agyarko’s face and neck but miraculously missed any vital areas. He recovered, turned professional a year later and began a slow climb to world title level.

Now 29, Agyarko is talented but has flitted between promotional companies and endured spells out of the spotlight. Nonetheless, he has remained unbeaten and navigated his way through the world rankings.

In April, he finally thought his big moment had arrived, but he saw a final eliminator for Kelly’s belt fall apart when his opponent, Brandon Adams, collapsed before the weigh in.

A crushing disappointment at the time, Adams' withdrawal eventually led to Agyarko getting this shot at Kelly.

“It's been a a tough journey to to get here, and I believe God's always been on my side,” Agyarko said at Thursday’s final press conference.

“I’ve faced some very mentally challenging situations in my life. To be here right now, it just shows how mentally resilient I am, and I just believe I have that edge.

“I'm prepared for the best Josh Kelly, and I can't wait for Saturday night.”

In January, Kelly finally fulfilled his own undoubted potential when he outpointed Bakhram Murtazaliev to win the 154-pound title.

The win seems to have done wonders for the 32-year-old’s confidence and he has talked about grasping control from the first bell and making Agyarko quickly doubt himself.

Agyarko has long spoken about his determination to create history and become the first Black Irish world champion. His chance has arrived, and he's in no mood to let it pass by without a real fight.

"He's going to be confident. He's world champion and he's obviously a good fighter, but this nonsense that I’m going to lose confidence early on? I’ve heard it all before by previous fighters and I'm still unbeaten. I'm still here.

“But it's my time to go out and prove everybody wrong, just like I have for the last three, four fights. I've been the underdog, the B-side in the last three four fights and I've always come out on top.

“I'm prepared for the best Josh Kelly and you're going to see the best Caoimhin Agyarko on the night, and no doubt it's going to be a great fight.

“I believe that I'll create history on Saturday night. I will run through brick walls to become the first Black Irish world champion. and if I have to beat the best Josh Kelly then so be it.”

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[Coco]

Kelly did great in his last fight, the Irishman has plenty of low grade wins.

Kelly getting beat does really stick in my mind, obviously a very talented fighter, I still don't really know where they are.

Is the Irishman world class? Josh certainly has world class skills, but.........

[keithmoonhangover]

Kelly did great in his last fight, the Irishman has plenty of low grade wins.

Kelly getting beat does really stick in my mind, obviously a very talented fighter, I still don't really know where they are.

Is the Irishman world class? Josh certainly has world class skills, but.........

I see Josh coming forward and beating him to the punch. How about you Mr Coco?

[MPW]

Kelly did great in his last fight, the Irishman has plenty of low grade wins.

Kelly getting beat does really stick in my mind, obviously a very talented fighter, I still don't really know where they are.

Is the Irishman world class? Josh certainly has world class skills, but.........

I see Josh coming forward and beating him to the punch. How about you Mr Coco?

Not sure about Coco, but I too see Kelly coming forward and looking to boss Agyarko, who's only got seven stoppages in 18 wins. If the challenger can't do anything to dissuade Kelly or blunt his aggression, I think he's in for a long night, or maybe even going down early.

[Coco]

Kelly did great in his last fight, the Irishman has plenty of low grade wins.

Kelly getting beat does really stick in my mind, obviously a very talented fighter, I still don't really know where they are.

Is the Irishman world class? Josh certainly has world class skills, but.........

I see Josh coming forward and beating him to the punch. How about you Mr Coco?

I've got a feeling Agyarko is not quite at the level, and Kelly will win handily on points

[keithmoonhangover]

Kelly did great in his last fight, the Irishman has plenty of low grade wins.

Kelly getting beat does really stick in my mind, obviously a very talented fighter, I still don't really know where they are.

Is the Irishman world class? Josh certainly has world class skills, but.........

I see Josh coming forward and beating him to the punch. How about you Mr Coco?

I've got a feeling Agyarko is not quite at the level, and Kelly will win handily on points

He's the champion and if he's the aggressor, that means a lot for some judges.

[mickey1975]

Agyarko was fortunate to get the result against Ishmael Davis. Kelly will box his head off.

[TheLeprechaun]

Agyarkos footwork is terrible. Seems to lack initiative and possibly heart, letting fights go on and being safety first. He won't win a minute of the fight but will be happy with the cheque. He just fights like a guy who is there for the money.

[JamesPhilips]

Agyarkos footwork is terrible. Seems to lack initiative and possibly heart, letting fights go on and being safety first. He won't win a minute of the fight but will be happy with the cheque. He just fights like a guy who is there for the money.

Amazing to think that it’s still the best fight on the bill

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Josh Kelly BEATS Caoimhin Agyarko by unanimous decision to retain his IBF junior middleweight title

[MPW]

I've read in several places that Kelly has called out Ennis for a unification bout. A fighter has to have confidence and self-belief, but ...

Kelly behaves like he dominated his last two fights and convincingly cruised to easy wins. Not so much. He was fortunate to get the majority decision against Murtazaliev in a fight some people believe he lost (although I think he edged it), and, while he earned a deserved but close unanimous decision with Agyarko, it was hardly a leisurely stroll in the park.

If he was to fight Ennis in the manner he did the light-hitting Agyarko, I'm not sure the bout lasts four rounds. If Kelly fights him the way he did the heavy-handed Murtazaliev, I'm not sure he can do enough to win rounds and avoid Ennis's power for the duration.

[Coco]

Post fight sky comments says a lot, the other champions are better than him, see him as a soft touch to unify.

He might get beat in his voluntary defences, therefore better to get some financial security and cash out against one. of the champs