With the IBF world light-middleweight title in his possession, Josh Kelly feels “it’s a different version of me” since he dethroned Bakhram Murtazaliev as he promised to “put on a show” in his maiden defence against Caoimhin Agyarko on Saturday.
Kelly had to bide his time for his opportunity, but the silky 32-year-old from Sunderland grabbed it with both hands with a majority points decision verdict against the Russian in January, improving to 18 wins with one defeat and one draw.
In some ways, 29-year-old Belfast challenger Agyarko has followed a similar path, enjoying big promotional backing in spells under the Queensberry and Matchroom banners, but was cut adrift by the latter following what was then a career-best win over Troy Williamson in 2023.
Both men will walk to the ring in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight return against Kristian Prenga fully aware of how tough it has been to get to this stage.
Kelly, who had to rebuild from a 2021 defeat by David Avanesyan, has rattled off eight successful wins, culminating in his title victory over Murtazaliev in Newcastle, dropping the champion in the fourth before coming through a late storm and surviving his own 11th-round trip to the canvas.
“Being a world champion does something to you,” Kelly said at Thursday’s final media conference.
“I thought it was a myth beforehand but how I’m going about my work in the gym is just different. It’s a different version of me.
“When I have that confidence, it’s a hard night for anyone: ‘Boots’ [Jaron Ennis], [Sebastian] Fundora – any of them.
“I’m going to come in on Saturday, show there’s levels to this game and put on a show.”
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