Just because Josh Kelly has achieved his ultimate goal he is not prepared to let it slip from those exquisite hands.
The stylish Sunderland sporting star makes the maiden defence of his IBF light-middleweight title against Ireland’s Caoimhin Agyarko this Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
Kelly v Agyarko is a mouthwatering support act to the headline affair between British heavyweight great Anthony Joshua and Albania’s Kristian Prenga inside the Jeddah Superdome.
It was a match which had been rumoured for an August night in Newcastle, where ‘Pretty Boy’ clinched the belt with the performance of his life back in January, when he defeated Bakhram Murtazaliev.
Having produced a masterclass to outpoint one of the most feared fighters on the planet it would surely be unthinkable for the new champion to relinquish it on Saturday, no matter how good the 29-year-old Irishman is.
The London-born Belfast-based challenger told Sky Sports that he expected Kelly’s “ego” to see him sink in the desert quicksand.
Kelly though appears quietly confident rather than cocky. In fact, you’d probably describe him as relaxed with a capital R.
“I feel free,” said the 32-year-old. “Winning the world title has taken a lot of expectation off me.
“I can let the reins loose and enjoy it all.
“I’ve done everything I’ve wanted to do – I’ve been to the Olympics and competed at the highest level as an amateur and now I’m the IBF world champion.
“It’s a dangerous time to face me, I can go in there to enjoy it and put an absolute spectacle on.”
Kelly got himself in a little bit of a verbal muddle on his interview with Sky Sports, saying he has “nothing to lose”.
Of course, that’s not true at all – he has everything to lose.
But, punch-lines knows what he means – he was trying to say the pressure is now off having become Sunderland’s first world champion.
The Adam Booth-trained mover did cover his tracks by saying: “Now I’m world champion, I’m looking to do bigger and better things in the sport.”
Will we see let the reins go?
Kelly won the title boxing with incredible precision and punch-lines must question whether he’ll deviate from that approach in Jeddah.
Agyarko is not a man to be taken lightly as both Kelly and Booth will be well aware.
The 29-year-old earned his crack at the IBF belt after edging a fiercely-contested battle with Ishmael Davis, from Leeds, in Belfast last September, the home star edging it via a very tight split decision.
In terms of numbers, there isn’t a great deal to choose between Saturday’s combatants.
Both have won 18 times, though Agyarko has a 100 per cent fight log compared to Kelly, who has a draw and defeat on his record.
Josh is ahead on stoppages 9-7 with Caoimhin, after a high KO ratio early in his career, having to go the distance in his last eight bouts.
Kelly will be facing a highly-motivated challenger. All challengers should be, of course, but for Agyarko, there is one special reason.
Born in Croydon, to an Irish mum and a Ghanaian dad, victory would make him Ireland’s first black world champion.
Agyarko is the younger animal too.
Since becoming champion of the world, Kelly has another year on the clock, turning 32 in March.
However, Josh insists you are only as young as you feel.
“I feel I’m a young 32,” he told punch-lines.
“When I was in the gym one of the kids in there said ‘how old are you?’
“When I told him, he said ‘you look about 25’ and I said ‘I need you on my team as a hype man’.
“I’ve not lived a bad life, I’ve never abused myself.
“When I was at 147 I was having to lose 12 to 14lbs before the weigh-n .
“Up at 154 my body has adjusted.
“I’ve not been involved in a load of wars, I’ve not had to go to the well too many times, I’ve got plenty left.
“If I wanted to, I could be boxing until I was 36 or 37, I feel I’ve still got a lot left.
“I’ve still got that kid-like energy about me.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Fletcher/ Matchroom Boxing
