Caoimhin Agyarko, the rising boxing star from Belfast, prepares to face Josh Kelly for the IBF light-middleweight championship on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. This bout is part of the undercard for Anthony Joshua's highly anticipated return against Kristian Prenga.

Agyarko, who aspires to be Ireland's first black world champion, has been vocal about his ambitions since the beginning of his career. He states, "I’ve already made history by becoming the first black Irishman to fight for a world title, but that is not my plan. My plan is to become the first black Irish world champion and lead the way for the next generation of fighters."

Born in London to an Irish mother and Ghanaian father, Agyarko moved to Belfast at a young age, where he honed his boxing skills at the Holy Trinity club. His amateur accolades include Irish and Ulster titles, and he turned professional in 2018, amassing several victories despite setbacks from injuries.

Reflecting on his journey, Agyarko remarked, "It's been 22 years of hard work, dedication, setbacks, ups and downs... but this is everything I've dreamt of since I was a kid."

His road has not been easy; in 2017, he survived a life-threatening attack that required emergency surgery. However, he emphasizes resilience:

I’ve never let any of it break me.

As he heads into this crucial fight, Agyarko acknowledges the influence of his home club, which has produced notable champions. He draws inspiration from fellow Holy Trinity fighters, including Anthony Cacace and Lewis Crocker, both of whom have achieved world titles. Agyarko believes his moment is now, stating, "It feels like it’s written in the stars. This is my time."