Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko

Josh Kelly has finally got himself where his talent always threatened to take him, and now he’s got Caoimhin Agyarko coming for his IBF light-middleweight belt. Two unbeaten records aren’t on the line because Kelly has already had that rough night with David Avanesyan, but that loss did him good. It knocked a bit of the showroom polish off him and made him a more serious professional.

Kelly is the smoother operator. He’s got that slippery rhythm, good eyes, quick feet, and he likes to make you miss by half an inch, then clip you while you’re left open. When he’s switched on, he can make good fighters look clumsy. The problem with Josh has always been the same: if he starts posing instead of working, he gives rounds away and invites pressure he doesn’t need.

Agyarko is unbeaten, strong, and organised, and he’ll come believing he can make Kelly uncomfortable. He is not a massive puncher at the world level, but he’s sturdy and fit, and he does the simple things well. The question is whether he can close the distance without walking onto counters. Against Kelly, straight lines are dangerous. You follow him, you get picked off.

Kelly’s advantage is timing. He’ll draw Agyarko’s lead, step off, and score with the cleaner work. Agyarko’s best chance is to keep it physical, jab the chest, work the body, and stop Kelly dancing around like he’s got a mirror in front of him.

I think Agyarko has moments, especially if Kelly admires himself too much, but over twelve rounds, the class tells. Kelly by a clear unanimous decision.