BoxRec

Nice fight. First world title fight as a coach for Swifty Smith as well!

Kevin v Kelly

KELLY-AGYARKO POSSIBLY ON AJ CARD

Eddie Hearn has said that Josh Kelly's first IBF super welterweight title defense, likely against Caoimhín Agyarko, could land on the July 25 Anthony Joshua undercard or in Newcastle in August. (@ProBoxingFans)

Unbeaten Brit will challenge Josh Kelly for IBF super-welterweight title this summer

The unbeaten British ‘Black Thunder’ lands shot at Josh Kelly’s IBF belt

Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko will challenge Josh Kelly for the IBF super-welterweight title this summer.

Agyarko was set to take on the USA’s Brandon Adams for the mandatory position at The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, in April, but the American was ruled unable to compete after collapsing prior to the weigh-in.

It left the undefeated 29-year-old fighter – perfect through 18 contests following last September’s narrow points win over Ishmael Davis – waiting on a decision from the IBF as to whether he would automatically be installed as the mandatory challenger for Englishman Kelly (18-1-1).

The IBF instead ordered Agyarko to take on previous champion Bakhram Murtazaliev – who lost the title to Kelly on a majority points decision in January – to fight for the mandatory spot.

However, the Belfast man’s team turned down that scenario, with Adams – who has since received medical clearance – stepping into that slot to take on the 33-year-old Russian.

Instead, Agyarko has been selected by southpaw Kelly as a voluntary defence.

The fight is set to take place this summer, possibly on the undercard of the heavyweight showdown between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 25 July, but the Utility Arena in Newcastle in August is also an option.

An official announcement is expected next week.

Caoimhin Agyarko next for Josh Kelly on July 25, Sebastian Fundora could follow

Josh Kelly looks set to make the first defense of his IBF 154lbs title against Caoimhin Agyarko on July 25 in Saudi Arabia.

The fight has been in the works for a while, and there was still some speculation that Kelly could box in the North East of England in August, but it now appears that fight is headed to the Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga undercard in Jeddah.

“That’s going to get announced shortly on the Saudi card,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “And then, from there, looking to make a big unification for Josh. Massive fight. [Sebastian] Fundora is the fight that we’d love to make. Obviously, Boots [Ennis, who fights Xander Zayas in New York] will be looking to fight the champions as well, so we’ll have to see what happens Saturday. For Josh, get that Agyarko victory for the first defense of his championship and then move on to a big unification.”

The 31-year-old Kelly is 18-1-1 (9 KOs) and won the belt with a decision win over the division’s supposed bogeyman, Bakhram Murtazaliev, in January.

Trianed by Adam Booth, Kelly has been in camp for some time, as has Agyarko, the 29-year-old Belfast resident who is 18-0 (7 KOs) and who last fought in September, winning a closely-contested bout against Ishmael Davis in Windsor Park.

PBC’s Fundora is 24-1-1 (16 KOs) and the towering 6ft 7ins southpaw – still only 28 – has won four since the lone loss of his career, to Brian Mendoza, twice defeating Tim Tszyu while also stopping Chordale Booker and Keith Thurman. Thurman was his last fight, in March.

I don't think Kelly will have much trouble with Agyarko. However, I'm not sure that would be the case with Fundora.

MPW wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 09:55 I don't think Kelly will have much trouble with Agyarko. However, I'm not sure that would be the case with Fundora.

I've been really impressed with Fundora lately. I thought he was lucky in the 1st Tszyu fight then just destroyed him in the 2nd. And he did so to Thurman too.

He also holds a great win over Lubin but got stopped by tough gatekeeper Mendoza.

Him & Kelly would be an interesting fight. I'd favour Fundora but he can be dropped & stopped. And Kelly can catch you on the counter.

Of course, first Kelly has to come through Kevin.

How long do we have to wait for Pretty Boy to change his name to Money?

The suspense is killing me.

Taansend wrote: ↑02 Jul 2026, 18:36 How long do we have to wait for Pretty Boy to change his name to Money?

The suspense is killing me.

When he’s a huge PPV star and making £50m+ per fight..

TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS

The undercard for Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga is set

Hamzah Sheeraz vs Simon Zachenhuber - WBO super middleweight title

Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko - IBF junior middleweight title

#JoshuaPrenga | July 25th | Exclusively on DAZN

Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga: 13-fight card set for July 25

A pair of world title defenses lead the undercard for Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga on July 25.

WBO super middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz will defend his title for the first time against Simon Zachenhuber, while IBF 154-pound titleholder Josh Kelly makes his first title defense when he faces Caoimhin Agyarko. The card will take place at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and will stream live on DAZN.

Turki Alalshikh announced the undercard on social media Monday.

Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs) won the then-vacant WBO title with a dominant second-round stoppage of Alem Begic on May 23 in Egypt. Sheeraz, 27, is The Ring’s No. 9-ranked super middleweight.

Germany’s Zachenhuber (28-1, 19 KOs), who is ranked No. 7 by the WBO at super middleweight, will be making a rapid turnaround, as he’s coming off a fifth-round stoppage of Armin Ajrulai.

Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) upset Bakhram Murtazaliev by majority decision to win the IBF title on January 31. Kelly is The Ring’s No. 6-ranked junior middleweight and could be positioned for a unification bout with unified titleholder Jaron “Boots” Ennis with a win. Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) last fought on September 13, beating Ishmael Davis by split decision.

Ascending Japanese prospect Reito Tsutsumi will fight for the first time in 2026 when he faces Alvino Herrera. Flyweight Mikie Tallon is back in action against Orlando Pino.


Full card

Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga
Hamzah Sheeraz (C) vs. Simon Zachenhuber (WBO super middleweight title)
Josh Kelly (C) vs. Caoimhin Agyarko (IBF junior middleweight title)
Reito Tsutsumi (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Alvino Herrera (18-0-2, 11 KOs) - 129 pounds - 10 rounds
Oleksandr Khyzhniak (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Lenny Patrach (8-0-1, 5 KOs) - 176 pounds - 8 rounds
Mikie Tallon (14-0, 3 KOs) vs. Orlando Pino (17-3, 11 KOs) - 114 pounds - 8 rounds
Nishant Dev (6-0, 4 KOs) vs. Cesar Diaz (10-2, 5 KOs) - 154 pounds - 8 rounds
Jacob Bank (19-0, 11 KOs) vs. Pawel August (18-0, 7 KOs) - 170 pounds - 8 rounds
Ziyad Almaayouf (7-1-1, 1 KO) vs. Frank Mango (8-1, 5 KOs) - 144 pounds - 8 rounds
Mohammed Alakel (8-0, 2 KOs) vs. Lydon Chircop (8-4, 4 KOs) - 132 pounds - 6 rounds
Sultan Almohammad (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Efren Besalduch (3-3-1, 1 KO) - 128 pounds - 4 rounds
Omar Hikal (1-0, 1 KO) vs. Brian Castellano (2-1) - 164 pounds - 4 rounds
Mohamed Mabrouk (1-0) vs. Bryan Zapata (5-9-1, 4 KOs) - 140 pounds - 4 rounds

World champions Hamzah Sheeraz and Josh Kelly set to defend titles on Anthony Joshua undercard

World champions Hamzah Sheeraz and Josh Kelly will defend their respective titles on the Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga undercard in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on July 25.

Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority, confirmed the undercard on Monday.

WBO super middleweight champion Sheeraz (23-0-1, 19 KOs) will face German Simon Zachenhuber in the first defence of his belt. The Brit won his first world title in May, comfortably beating Alem Begic with a Round 2 knockout in Egypt.

Sheeraz has been linked with a potential fight against Canelo Alvarez and has openly called for a fight with the Mexican star. However, Alvarez is set to fight the WBC champion at 168 pounds, Christian Mbilli, in October.

Kelly, the IBF junior middleweight champion, will fight Ireland's Caoimhin Agyarko.

Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs) is on an eight-fight win streak after he stunned Bakhram Murtazaliev in January to win his first world title. The Brit overcame a late knockdown to hand the Russian his first professional defeat as he won on points in Newcastle.

Unbeaten Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs) was set to fight Brandon Adams in a IBF title eliminator earlier this year before it was cancelled at short notice when Adams fell ill before the weigh-in.

The Irishman will now go straight into a world title fight off the back of a win against Ishmael Davis last year.

Should Kelly come through the fight, promoter Eddie Heard has indicated that a unification fight with WBA and WBO champion Jaron "Boots" Ennis, could be on the cards later this year.

Both fighters are represented by Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.

When is Hamzah gonna step up and fight somebody?

His last fight was ridiculous and this doesn't look much better

Oleksandr Khyznyak is on the card. Also looking at Jacob Bank fight. Really wondering if that guy is as good as he looked against Scull.

Cent0089 wrote: ↑14 Jul 2026, 07:24 Oleksandr Khyznyak is on the card. Also looking at Jacob Bank fight. Really wondering if that guy is as good as he looked against Scull.

I think this will be a good barometer fight for both Bank and August. It presents an opportunity to find out just where they're at after their last performances and may set them up for a significant bout in the near future.

MPW wrote: ↑14 Jul 2026, 09:09

Cent0089 wrote: ↑14 Jul 2026, 07:24 Oleksandr Khyznyak is on the card. Also looking at Jacob Bank fight. Really wondering if that guy is as good as he looked against Scull.

I think this will be a good barometer fight for both Bank and August. It presents an opportunity to find out just where they're at after their last performances and may set them up for a significant bout in the near future.

Yeah. IMO Sheeraz should be fighting winner of that fight

Kelly v Agyarko is the only decent fight on the card. The Sheeraz fight should not be a world title fight. He was gifted his belt. He lost vs Adames, should have been DQed vs Skeete and the only reason he’s got a title is due to FW’s WBO grifting and Sheeraz’s “ambassadorial” role with the Saudis.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑14 Jul 2026, 16:37 Kelly v Agyarko is the only decent fight on the card. The Sheeraz fight should not be a world title fight. He was gifted his belt. He lost vs Adames, should have been DQed vs Skeete and the only reason he’s got a title is due to FW’s WBO grifting and Sheeraz’s “ambassadorial” role with the Saudis.

Sheeraz' "title" fight win was against a joke opponent and they are giving him another patsy for his first defense. Everything wrong with boxing today. At least Kelly got his belt against decent opposition. Are the divisions so weak they can't give beltholders like Sheeraz a semi-credible opponent after putting him in with a 39-year-old schnitzel street vendor to "win" his belt?

giacomino wrote: ↑15 Jul 2026, 09:30

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑14 Jul 2026, 16:37 Kelly v Agyarko is the only decent fight on the card. The Sheeraz fight should not be a world title fight. He was gifted his belt. He lost vs Adames, should have been DQed vs Skeete and the only reason he’s got a title is due to FW’s WBO grifting and Sheeraz’s “ambassadorial” role with the Saudis.

Sheeraz' "title" fight win was against a joke opponent and they are giving him another patsy for his first defense. Everything wrong with boxing today. At least Kelly got his belt against decent opposition. Are the divisions so weak they can't give beltholders like Sheeraz a semi-credible opponent after putting him in with a 39-year-old schnitzel street vendor to "win" his belt?

Yup, Sheeraz was essentially gifted his belt and his first defense appears to be largely another gimme fight. There are a number of credible contenders at SMW, including Martinez, Pacheco, Bank, Sadjo, Melikuziev, Ihosvany Garcia, Nurmaganbet, and Williamson, to name a handful. However, promoters, with a wink and nod from the alphabet orgs, seem to go out of their way to avoid potential threats and protect their champions.

MPW wrote: ↑15 Jul 2026, 10:07

giacomino wrote: ↑15 Jul 2026, 09:30

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑14 Jul 2026, 16:37 Kelly v Agyarko is the only decent fight on the card. The Sheeraz fight should not be a world title fight. He was gifted his belt. He lost vs Adames, should have been DQed vs Skeete and the only reason he’s got a title is due to FW’s WBO grifting and Sheeraz’s “ambassadorial” role with the Saudis.

Sheeraz' "title" fight win was against a joke opponent and they are giving him another patsy for his first defense. Everything wrong with boxing today. At least Kelly got his belt against decent opposition. Are the divisions so weak they can't give beltholders like Sheeraz a semi-credible opponent after putting him in with a 39-year-old schnitzel street vendor to "win" his belt?

Yup, Sheeraz was essentially gifted his belt and his first defense appears to be largely another gimme fight. There are a number of credible contenders at SMW, including Martinez, Pacheco, Bank, Sadjo, Melikuziev, Ihosvany Garcia, Nurmaganbet, and Williamson, to name a handful. However, promoters, with a wink and nod from the alphabet orgs, seem to go out of their way to avoid potential threats and protect their champions.

Agree 100% but this seems like an extreme example since he was given an absolute stiff for the belt. I really hate when the alphabet boys set up favored fighters with nobodies for vacant alphabet belt. I understand the marketing value but it sucks for real boxing fans

Fight Week!!

Agyarko will be hungry.

Kelly does have a rematch clause.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑20 Jul 2026, 06:19 Agyarko will be hungry.

Kelly does have a rematch clause.

I think Kelly is too slick and wins this, but admit I wouldn't mind seeing Agyarko pull off a surprise.

MPW wrote: ↑20 Jul 2026, 09:33 I wouldn't mind seeing Agyarko pull off a surprise.

Agyarko comes across as a right pr1ck