Josh Kelly has declared that his upcoming IBF light-middleweight title defense against Caoimhin Agyarko will be nothing short of "spiteful" as they prepare for their clash in Saudi Arabia this Saturday. This match is part of the undercard for Anthony Joshua's return against Kristian Prenga at the Jeddah Superdome.

Kelly, who secured the title in January by defeating Bakhram Murtazaliev, expressed that holding the championship has significantly boosted his confidence. In an interview with Sky Sports, he stated, "The thing it has done for me inside is worth its weight in gold." He described the transformation he feels in training, noting that his close associates have remarked on his different demeanor.

• Kelly's Journey:
  • Won IBF title in January against Bakhram Murtazaliev.
  • Has achieved eight consecutive wins since his sole career loss to David Avanesyan in 2021.

Initially, Agyarko was set to face Brandon Adams in a final eliminator, but Adams' collapse prior to the weigh-in led to a change in plans. Kelly was then given a voluntary defense option, resulting in the match against Agyarko.

Kelly views Agyarko as just another opponent in his path to creating more history. He emphasized, "It's not about him, it's about me," and assured that he remains focused solely on this fight, rejecting any notion of complacency.

As he aims for greater achievements in boxing, Kelly asserted, "I'm just going to go in there and enjoy it, put an absolute spectacle on. It's going to be fun. It's going to be spiteful."

With both fighters eager to prove themselves, fans can expect an electrifying showdown this weekend.