Josh Kelly has promised that his IBF light-middleweight title defence against Caoimhin Agyarko will be “spiteful” ahead of their Saudi Arabia showdown on Saturday.
The fight forms part of the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s return to the ring against Kristian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome.
Sunderland’s Kelly won the belt in January against Bakhram Murtazaliev, and told Sky Sports that being champion has given him added belief going into the bout against Agyarko of Belfast.
Josh Kelly celebrates defeating Bakhram Murtazaliev to claim the IBF light-middleweight title
“The thing it has done for me inside is worth its weight in gold,” Kelly said of his win over Murtazaliev.
“It’s a weird one because, in training and everything, everyone is saying I just look different. These are the closest people to me, 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 expectation off. It’s like I can now just let loose, let the reins go and just enjoy everything.
“It’s knowing and believing. First, you have to believe, but when you complete the task, you know.”
Initially, Agyarko was scheduled to face Brandon Adams in a final eliminator in April, but the American collapsed prior to the weigh-in and was unable to fight.
Rather than the IBF ordering another final eliminator between Agyarko and Murtazaliev, Kelly was given the option of a voluntary first defence, and a deal was struck to face Agyarko.
“We know each other, but he’s just another opponent, basically,” Kelly said of Agyarko.
“He’s just another guy I’ve got to deal with, a stepping stone in this journey to creating more history. It’s not about him, it’s about me.”
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Caoimhin Agyarko says Josh Kelly’s ‘mentality and ego’ will be his downfall in their IBF super-welterweight clash this Saturday.
Agyarko’s last outing was a split-decision victory over Ishmael Davis in December, while Kelly has put eight wins together, including the title victory over Murtazaliev, since his sole career loss to David Avanesyan in 2021.
“There’s no complacency,” Kelly promised. “No other fight exists except this one.
“I’ve never overlooked anyone in my career. In fact, I end up overestimating every opponent – I build them up to be the fastest, hardest-hitting guys.
“I’m looking to do bigger and better things in the sport, and this is now a dangerous time to face me because I’ve got literally nothing to lose.
“I’m just going to go in there and enjoy it, put an absolute spectacle on.
“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be spiteful.”
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