Josh Kelly is reportedly set to make the first defense of his IBF junior middleweight title against unbeaten contender Caoimhin Agyarko on July 25, 2026. The bout is being targeted for the undercard of the heavyweight clash between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia.
While an official announcement from lead promoter Matchroom Boxing is still pending, industry reports indicate the contest is nearing finalization for the event billed as “The Comeback.”
The matchup brings together two technically focused fighters in the 154-pound division. Josh Kelly, aged 32, currently holds a record of 18-1 with nine knockouts. He captured the IBF title on January 31, 2026, in Newcastle, securing a 12-round majority decision victory against Bakhram Murtazaliev. This proposed defense would be the champion’s first appearance in the ring since winning the belt earlier this year.
Caoimhin Agyarko enters the potential title challenge with an unblemished professional record of 18-0, including seven knockouts. The 29-year-old Irishman is currently rated No. 4 by the IBF at junior middleweight. His last outing was a split decision victory over Ishmael Davis on September 13, 2025, in Belfast.
Agyarko was previously ordered to face Murtazaliev in a final eliminator but reportedly passed on that opportunity, leading to this targeted voluntary defense against Kelly.
Event logistics and the Riyadh-Jeddah connection
The July 25 event is part of the Esports World Cup Festival in Riyadh. While the main event between Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga is linked to the Jeddah Superdome in some reports, official venue data also lists the ANB Arena in Riyadh as a primary site for the card.
The gala will be broadcast globally on DAZN PPV, with subscribers on the Ultimate Tier receiving the event as part of their standard package.
The main attraction features Anthony Joshua’s return to professional competition after a motor vehicle accident in December 2025. Joshua’s most recent appearance in the ring was a six-round thrashing of Jake Paul. His opponent, Kristian Prenga, arrives with a record of 20-1 and 20 knockouts.
This heavyweight headliner provides a massive platform for the Kelly vs. Agyarko world title fight, which was also previously considered for a Newcastle date in August.
Organizers are still finalizing the full broadcast order, but other high-profile additions are expected. Hamzah Sheeraz, who won the WBO super middleweight title in May 2026, is also rumored for a potential defense on this card. Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh continues to back these large-scale events, often featuring champions like Oleksandr Usyk in international settings to maximize global streaming viewership.
Style and stakes for the IBF junior middleweight crown
Stylistically, the Kelly vs. Agyarko pairing suggests a tactical encounter rather than a high-volume shootout. Neither man is regarded as a prolific puncher; Kelly has a 50% knockout ratio, while Agyarko has stopped seven of his 18 opponents.
The fight will likely be decided by technical ring craft and defensive discipline over the 12-round distance, as both men look to establish their dominance at the top of the 154-pound rankings.
For Caoimhin Agyarko, this represents a direct route to world honors after administrative shifts in the IBF rankings. Initially, he was scheduled for an eliminator against Brandon Adams, but that bout was canceled when Adams collapsed before the weigh-in.
By moving directly into a voluntary defense against Kelly, Agyarko avoids the hurdle of another eliminator while Kelly gets the chance to solidify his reign following his debated majority decision win in January.
Matchroom Boxing CEO Eddie Hearn indicated on June 7 that an official announcement regarding Kelly’s next move would be made “this coming week.” As the final details are ironed out, fans are looking forward to a technical masterclass that complements the heavyweight power at the top of the bill. Similar to when com/jack-catterall-calls-out-rolando-romero-to-defend-wba-belt-i/”>Jack Catterall challenged for honors, the winner of this bout will find themselves in a prime position for high-stakes unifications later in 2026.
Confirmed and rumored bouts for July 25 card
The official lineup is expected to be released shortly. Based on current reports and official confirmations, the following bouts are slated for the ANB Arena:
- Main Event: Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga (Heavyweight) — Officially Confirmed
- IBF Junior Middleweight Title: Josh Kelly vs. Caoimhin Agyarko — Reportedly Targeted
- WBO Super Middleweight Title: Hamzah Sheeraz vs. TBC — Rumored/Targeted
Main event ringwalks are expected to take place between 10:00 PM and 11:00 PM BST. While ticket sales have not yet opened, the inclusion of multiple British titleholders is expected to draw significant interest from both local fans in Saudi Arabia and international viewers on DAZN.
The event marks a critical turning point for Kelly as he attempts to prove his January title win was no fluke.
