Belfast boxer Caoimhin Agyarko will challenge IBF light-middleweight champion Josh Kelly on 25 July after the long-awaited world title fight was officially confirmed.
The championship contest will feature on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s comeback bout against Kristian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia.
Kelly, from Sunderland, will be making the first defence of the IBF title he captured in January with a victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev. Agyarko secured the opportunity after plans for a final eliminator took an unexpected turn earlier this year.
The unbeaten Irish fighter had been due to face Brandon Adams in April, but the American withdrew before the weigh-in, forcing the contest to be cancelled. The IBF later ordered another final eliminator between Agyarko and former champion Murtazaliev.
Instead, Kelly chose to make a voluntary first title defence, allowing both camps to reach an agreement for the championship fight.
Agyarko admitted the cancellation of the Adams bout was a major setback after spending months preparing for the contest, but said the outcome ultimately worked in his favour. He explained that he faced uncertainty over whether another eliminator would be required or whether he would receive a direct title opportunity, before his team successfully negotiated the fight with Kelly.
The 28-year-old heads into the biggest bout of his career after edging Ishmael Davis by split decision in Belfast last December. Kelly, meanwhile, has rebuilt impressively since suffering the only defeat of his professional career to David Avanesyan in 2021, putting together an eight-fight winning streak that culminated in his world title triumph.
The event will also feature WBO super-middleweight champion Hamzah Sheeraz making the first defence of his belt against Germany’s Simon Zachenhuber.