Caoimhin Agyarko, an unbeaten boxer from Belfast, won the most incredible fight of his career on Saturday night, defeating Birmingham’s Ryan Kelly over 10 rounds. The fight was staged at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena on the undercard of Dalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain.
Agyarko accepted the contest less than two weeks before the fight due to Ishmael Davis’ withdrawal. He took advantage of the opportunity, demonstrating grit, control, and composure throughout the match.
The judges scored the fight 95-95, 97-94, and 96-94, awarding Agyarko the majority decision win. With the victory, he extended his professional record to 17-0 (7 KOs), while Kelly fell to 19-6-1 (8 KOs).
A Strong Finish for Agyarko and Future Prospects
Agyarko dominated the bout from the start, working behind his jab. He dominated the tempo early, keeping Kelly at a distance and hitting solid shots. His confidence was evident as he ended the opening round with a punch to the air.
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Throughout the early rounds, Agyarko picked his shots smartly, staying out of danger. Kelly stayed persistent and got his reward in round five when he opened a cut above Agyarko’s left eye. But despite the injury, the Belfast fighter remained calm and continued to box with focus.
Cornered by his coaching team, Agyarko remained calm after the cut and swiftly took control of the bout. By round six, he was back on track, landing harder punches and putting Kelly on the back foot.
In the later rounds, Agyarko’s jab and left hook worked well. One standout moment showed him pushing his gum shield back in during the middle of a punch exchange, not letting anything distract him from his focus. His strong performance in rounds eight to ten helped him win the fight.
With this victory, Agyarko successfully defended the WBA Continental Super Welterweight Title. The Belfast fighter was ranked fifth in the WBA prior to this bout, and his impressive performance could propel him closer to a world title shot. Agyarko’s comeback clearly shows that he will compete at the highest level.
While Ryan Kelly fell short on the scoreboard, his performance shows resilience and determination. The Birmingham fighter now has a professional record of 19-6-1, and despite his setback, he remains a formidable opponent in the category. Kelly may be able to recover in future fights with the proper opponents.
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