Josh Kelly Retains Title vs Agyarko; Ennis Unification in Question
It was far from an easy night for reigning IBF junior middleweight champion Josh “Pretty Boy” Kelly. Still, he did just enough to scrape out a unanimous decision victory over mandatory challenger Caoimhin Agyarko. The judges at the Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia scored it 114-113 and 115-112 twice. Kelly’s hopes of fighting unified 154-pound champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis this year have likely gone up in smoke.
Early on, Kelly (19-1-1, 9 KOs) appeared on his way to a comfortable victory. He used a sharp jab and superior hand speed to control the first four rounds. Momentum shifted in the middle rounds as Agyarko (18-1, 7 KOs) increased the pressure. Meanwhile, Kelly’s facial damage began to mount. Cuts over both eyes and a deep gash across his nose left “Pretty Boy” with a bloodied face.
Sensing the fight slipping away, Kelly responded with greater urgency during the championship rounds. His determination and cleaner work down the stretch secured a hard-fought victory in a dramatic title defense.
Leading up to the contest, Kelly expressed hopes that his next fight would be a December unification showdown with Ennis. Don’t count on it. The cuts around both eyes, particularly the deep gash over his nose, will require significant time to heal. While Kelly could still land a fight with Boots, the bout will likely be pushed into 2027.
Be the first to comment