Agyarko relieved world title shot with Kelly ended sideline wait

Caoimhin Agyarko has said he was heartbroken when a previous title eliminator fell through and feared being left on the sidelines. The Belfast middleweight now faces Josh Kelly for a world title.

“I was heartbroken at the time [when the Adams fight was cancelled] and didn't know what was going to happen after, whether I was going to have to fight in another eliminator or get the title fight, or even be left on the sidelines again”

— Caoimhin Agyarko, via BBC Sport

What Caoimhin Agyarko said

Agyarko had been scheduled to fight Hassan Azim Adams in an eliminator before that bout was cancelled. The setback left him uncertain whether he would have to fight another eliminator, get the title fight anyway, or be sidelined indefinitely. A world title fight against Kelly has since been arranged.

What it moves

Agyarko's relief at securing the Kelly fight underscores how volatile the path to a world title can be when eliminators collapse. The Belfast fighter avoided another eliminator and went straight to a championship opportunity. Kelly will enter as the defending champion.

Source: bbc.co.uk. Full Caoimhin Agyarko fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.