Caoimhin Agyarko vs Ryan Kelly Predictions: Late replacement might make for a better fight

Ryan Kelly gets a high-quality late replacement when he takes on Caoimhin Agyarko, who comes in for Ishmael Davis. The bout takes place on Saturday, April 19 at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield on the undercard of Dalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain. The fights will be shown live on DAZN.

Here are my Kelly vs Agyarko predictions ahead of this super welterweight showdown.

Ryan Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Odds

Kelly is the 5/2 underdog here as new face Agyarko lands at 3/10. If you fancy the draw it’s there at 16/1.

Ryan Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Fight Preview

You could make a rock-solid argument that Kelly has ended up in a tougher fight here. Original opponent Davis had lost his last two fights to Josh Kelly and Serhii Bohachuk. Admittedly that is fine opposition indeed, but he would still have been coming into this fight lacking momentum.

Agyarko does not suffer from the same problem. ‘Black Thunder’ enters the ring with a glistening 16-0 record. Agyarko boasts an eye-catching win over Troy Williamson, as well as victories over gatekeepers like Juan Carlos Rubio, Lukasz Maciec and Grant Dennis.

Agyarko lacks the top-flight experience Davies would bring, but unlike the man he replaces, we are yet to find his ceiling. Kelly, who has mixed it with some of the best in the domestic and continental division, will be a litmus test of the Irishman’s standing in the sport.

Kelly was already taking on a tough fight when he signed to fight Davis. The fact he has chosen to stay on the card against a fighter in better form is a credit to him. Then again, bravery has never been in short supply for the 31-year-old.

Kelly counts world title challenger Hamzah Sheeraz, Michael McKinson and former British champion Brad Pauls on his list of ex-opponents. ‘Ruthless’ challenged for the Commonwealth championship last time out, coming up just short via split decision to Kieron Conway.

This is a big fight for Kelly. A spotlight outing on a big card among star names like Smith, two-time world champion Josh Warrington and recent viral sensation Josh Padley. An upset victory would super-charge the 31-year-old’s career.

But that is a massive task against Agyarko. Going from facing a fighter needing a win to arrest the slide to meeting one with momentum behind them is quite the shift. There is the carrot of snatching Agyarko’s world ranking. The Irish star is fifth with the WBA. But the risk of another defeat could derail Kelly’s career ambitions for good.

Agyarko might be under even more pressure. A loss at this stage could cap his potential before it has been fully realised. The 28-year-old looks ready to make waves in the division. But his brave choice to take a late-stage fight against an experienced opponent is a potential banana skin.

Ryan Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Full Card

Dalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain

Ryan Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko

Josh Warrington vs Asad Asif Khan

Josh Padley vs Marko Cvetanovic

Giorgio Visioli vs Kane Baker

Joe Howarth vs Mario Valenzuela Portillo

Emmanuel Buttigieg vs Grant Dennis

Ryan Kelly vs Caoimhin Agyarko Prediction

This could end up as the best fight on the Sheffield show. I can see these two going hell-for-leather here. Agyarko would do well to avoid too much of a fire-fight and rely on his boxing. But the heat of battle does funny things to a boxer.

I reckon Agyarko will do what’s necessary to prevail. At seven knockouts from 16 wins he is a moderate puncher rather than a lethal one. Meanwhile only noted KO artist Sheeraz has stopped Kelly.

For that reason, I am picking this one to go the distance. I reckon Agyarko takes it on points at 4/6.

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