Josh Kelly has promised that his IBF light-middleweight title defence against Caoimhin Agyarko will be "spiteful" ahead of their Saudi Arabia showdown on Saturday. <p>The fight forms part of the undercard of Anthony Joshua's return to the ring against Kristian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome.</p><p>Sunderland's Kelly won the belt in January against Bakhram Murtazaliev, and told <em>Sky Sports</em> that being champion has given him added belief going into the bout against Agyarko of Belfast.</p><widget id="2"></widget><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13565187/anthony-joshua-vs-kristian-prenga-brandon-moore-backs-albanian-to-beat-aj-in-similar-fashion-to-andy-ruiz-in-tyson-fury-warm-up-bout">Kristian Prenga can beat Anthony Joshua 'like Andy Ruiz did', says sparring partner</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13562263/tyson-fury-vs-anthony-joshua-could-the-heavyweight-super-fight-go-to-principality-stadium-2am-start-shouldnt-be-an-issue">Could Fury-AJ go to Principality Stadium? 2am start shouldn't be an issue</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/13562224/johnny-fisher-signs-with-zuffa-boxing-and-will-fight-on-september-26-at-londons-copper-box-arena-live-on-sky-sports">Johnny Fisher fights live on Sky Sports after signing with Zuffa Boxing</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.sky.com/tv/sports?dcmp=Ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">Get Sky Sports</a> or <a href="https://www.nowtv.com/watch-sky-sports-online?DCMP=ilc_skysports_nc_articlelink" target="_blank">stream with no contract on NOW</a></strong></li></ul><p>"The thing it has done for me inside is worth its weight in gold," Kelly said of his win over Murtazaliev.</p><p>"It's a weird one because, in training and everything, everyone is saying I just look different. These are the closest people to me, watching me go to work every day.</p><p>"It's a crazy experience. You don't know what something like this does for you, spiritually, energetically, motivation-wise, everything.</p><p>"It's actually taken a lot of expectation off. It's like I can now just let loose, let the reins go and just enjoy everything.</p><p>"It's knowing and believing. First, you have to believe, but when you complete the task, you know."</p><p>Initially, Agyarko was scheduled to face Brandon Adams in a final eliminator in April, but the American collapsed prior to the weigh-in and was unable to fight.</p><p>Rather than the IBF ordering another final eliminator between Agyarko and Murtazaliev, Kelly was given the option of a voluntary first defence, and a deal was struck to face Agyarko.</p><p>"We know each other, but he's just another opponent, basically," Kelly said of Agyarko.</p><p>"He's just another guy I've got to deal with, a stepping stone in this journey to creating more history. It's not about him, it's about me."</p> <widget id="1"></widget><p>Agyarko's last outing was a split-decision victory over Ishmael Davis in December, while Kelly has put eight wins together, including the title victory over Murtazaliev, since his sole career loss to David Avanesyan in 2021.</p><p>"There's no complacency," Kelly promised. "No other fight exists except this one.</p><p>"I've never overlooked anyone in my career. In fact, I end up overestimating every opponent – I build them up to be the fastest, hardest-hitting guys.</p><p>"I'm looking to do bigger and better things in the sport, and this is now a dangerous time to face me because I've got literally nothing to lose.</p><p>"I'm just going to go in there and enjoy it, put an absolute spectacle on.</p><p>"It's going to be fun. It's going to be spiteful."</p>
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