Boxing News Hall of Fame writer Graham Houston delves into Saturday’s 154lbs title fight between Josh Kelly and Caoimhin Agyarko and offers his best tips.
Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Tips Preview
Josh Kelly gave a career-best performance when he outpointed dangerous Bakhram Murtazaliev to win the IBF junior middleweight title in January. On Saturday he makes a fairly speedy first defence, against Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko, in the chief support to Anthony Joshua’s big heavyweight fight in Jeddah.
Kelly boxed beautifully against Murtazaliev, using a hit-and-move style that frustrated the heavy hitter from Russia. “Pretty Boy” even scored a flash knockdown in the fourth round, then survived a knockdown in the ninth when Murtazaliev caught him with a right hand.
After a stellar amateur career that saw him represent GB in the Olympics, Sunderland’s Kelly, now 32, seems finally to have found himself as a pro.
Kelly gave some dazzling performances early in his pro career, stopping six of his first eight opponents in the welterweight division.
But Kelly struggled in his US debut against tall, awkward southpaw Ray Robinson. Kelly suffered cuts in that Madison Square Garden contest and had to settle for a draw. But although it wasn’t his best night I thought Kelly had done enough to eke out a win.
Worse — much worse — was to follow when rugged David Avanesyan stopped Kelly in the sixth round.
Kelly started off looking sensational that night but ran out of gas, and by the sixth Avanesyan was overwhelming him.
However, the Avanesyan fight was four years ago. Kelly moved up to 154 lbs and he’s on a nice run of eight wins, including 12-round decisions over well-respected opponents Troy Williamson and Ishmael Davis on his way to the upset victory or Murtazaliev.
Agyarko, 29, is unbeaten (18-0, 7 KOs). He was Irish amateur champion and boxed in international tournaments. Agyarko doesn’t have Kelly’s speed or razzle-dazzle but he’s a good, solid technician.
While Kelly is the clear favourite, Agyarko has respectable credentials.
Agyarko has passed every test but he’s had a few close calls, including his split decision win over Ishmael Davis last October. He suffered a severely swollen eye against the physically stronger Davis but Agyarko's superior ring IQ saw him through.
A big fight in Las Vegas fell through at the last moment when Agyarko's opponent, Brandon Adams, pulled out due to what appears to have been a dehydration issue.
Now Agyarko gets a delayed big-fight opportunity — but this time with a world title on the line.
Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Tale of the Tape
Josh Kelly | Caoimhin Agyarko | |
Record: | 18-1-1 (9 KOs) | 18-0 (7 KOs) |
Age: | 32 | 29 |
Birthplace: | Sunderland, England | Croydon, London, England |
Height: | 5ft 10ins | 5ft 9ins |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Won (MD) vs Bakhram Murtazaliev (Jan 26) | Won (SD) vs Ishmael Davis (Sep 25) |
KO%: | 50% | 38.89% |
Alias: | 'Pretty Boy' | 'Black Thunder' |
Josh Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Top Tips & Bet Builder
Top Tip
Bet Builder
- Fight Result: Josh Kelly
- Most Jabs Landed: Josh Kelly
Agyarko is tough, game and capable but he’s never met anyone with Kelly’s hand speed, talent and athleticism.
Kelly, meanwhile, will be on a high confidence-wise after winning the world title as a big underdog.
On paper, a Kelly win in Jeddah will most likely be by decision, seeing as Agyarko has never been stopped and Kelly isn’t considered a seriously hard hitter.
However, it’s possible that we will see Kelly reach a new level now that he is a world champion.
Kelly couldn’t afford to take too many chances against Murtazaliev. But in the fight with Agyarko I think we might see Kelly letting his hands go and looking to get his opponent out of there.
As a bet builder I like the idea of Kelly to win paired with Kelly to land the most jabs. This gives a bet builder price of 4/6.
And “Fight to go distance — No” at 5/2 is worth a look, because there’s a world in which Kelly’s combinations could break down Agyarko to bring a late-round intervention from the referee.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
