A 2023 victory over Troy Williamson should have been Agyarko’s springboard to bigger fights but it proved little more than a prelude to a frustrating 12 months with just one low-key outing.
However, quickfire wins in spring 2025 led to a Windsor Park meeting with Ishmael Davis, edging a split decision verdict having pulled himself off the canvas and suffering a badly swollen eye.
In April he was in Las Vegas, preparing to weigh-in for a final eliminator against Brandon Adams when the American collapsed and the fight was off.
Despite the IBF ordering another final eliminator against former champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, a deal was struck with Kelly’s team and they meet on Saturday.
Those ups and downs are not exclusive to his career in the ring, as in May 2017, a then 20-year-old Agyarko was tasked with a different fight.
Agyarko was slashed down the side of his face after an unprovoked attack in Belfast city centre which left him requiring emergency surgery and fighting for life.
“Things have happened for a reason, in and out of the ring: setbacks after setbacks in boxing and in life,” Agyarko said.
“I’m used to this and the one thing I’ve never let any of it do was break me. I’ve been very resilient over the past 10 years since the stabbing, but my mindset now is ‘these things happen’, so what can I do to keep pushing forward instead of dwelling on a situation that is out of my hands?”
