Caoimhin Agyarko will enjoy the quickest turnaround of his career.<\/p>\n
Strangely, it comes at the expense of a fighter who’s become known for accepting short-notice assignments. <\/p>\n
An injury late in training camp has forced Leeds\u2019 Ishmael Davis out of his planned 10-round junior middleweight showdown with countryman Ryan Kelly this weekend. Davis was since replaced by the unbeaten Agyarko, a London-born and Belfast-based contender who reportedly accepted the fight last week upon first learning of the opportunity. <\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, due to an unexpected injury, I have to withdraw from my fight,\u201d Davis revealed via Instagram. \u201cI\u2019m gutted, but I\u2019ll return stronger. Apologies to everyone who was looking forward to the fight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Agyarko-Kelly comes in supporting capacity to the Dalton Smith- Mathieu Germain junior welterweight clast this Saturday on DAZN from Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England.<\/p>\n
Agyarko, 16-0 (7 KO), has struggled with ring activity in more than six years as a pro, though it\u2019s not at all an issue here. The 28-year-old is coming off an eight-round points win on March 30 and immediately returned to the gym. <\/p>\n
His decision to stay ready to avoid having to get ready reaped major dividends, as he is now blessed with two fights in a 20-day span.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kelly, 19-5-1 (8 KOs), aims to reverse a two-fight winless streak. <\/p>\n
The 31-year-old Birmingham native suffered a 12-round, split decision to Kieron Conway last November 30 in his hometown. The setback came five months after he fought Gerome Warburton to a 10-round draw on June 14 in Bolton. <\/p>\n
Davis\u2019 due fight came after his last two ring appearances came in replace of former titlists who fell out late in the promotion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He filled the void left behind by an injured Liam Smith to face Josh Kelly, against whom he dropped a disputed majority decision on the September 21 Riyadh Season: Wembley Edition at London\u2019s famed Wembley Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Three months later, Davis replaced an ill Israil Madrimov versus Serhii Bohachuk on the December 21 undercard to the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury heavyweight championship rematch. Bohachuk defeated the 30-year-old Brit via sixth-round knockout.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A rare full training camp ironically proved to be his undoing this time around.<\/p>\n
The show\u2019s headlining act is geared for Smith, 17-0 (13 KOs), to inch closer to his first major title shot. The 28-year-old local hero will become the WBC mandatory challenger should he turn away Canada\u2019s Germain, 26-2-1 (11 KOs), in their final elimination bout this Saturday.<\/p>\n
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n