Kelly promises to let loose in 'spiteful' takedown of Agyarko

Josh Kelly faces Caoimhin Agyarko in IBF light-middleweight title defence as part of the undercard of Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga's heavyweight bout in Saudi Arabia on Saturday; Kelly won the belt in January against Bakhram Murtazaliev

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>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.

>"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.

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>"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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>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."