Caoimhin Agyarko next for Josh Kelly on July 25, Sebastian Fundora could follow

Josh Kelly looks set to make the first defense of his IBF 154lbs title against Caoimhin Agyarko on July 25 in Saudi Arabia.

The fight has been in the works for a while, and there was still some speculation that Kelly could box in the North East of England in August, but it now appears that fight is headed to the Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga undercard in Jeddah.

“That’s going to get announced shortly on the Saudi card,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “And then, from there, looking to make a big unification for Josh. Massive fight. [Sebastian] Fundora is the fight that we’d love to make. Obviously, Boots [Ennis, who fights Xander Zayas in New York] will be looking to fight the champions as well, so we’ll have to see what happens Saturday. For Josh, get that Agyarko victory for the first defense of his championship and then move on to a big unification.”

The 31-year-old Kelly is 18-1-1 (9 KOs) and won the belt with a decision win over the division’s supposed bogeyman, Bakhram Murtazaliev, in January.

Trianed by Adam Booth, Kelly has been in camp for some time, as has Agyarko, the 29-year-old Belfast resident who is 18-0 (7 KOs) and who last fought in September, winning a closely-contested bout against Ishmael Davis in Windsor Park.

PBC’s Fundora is 24-1-1 (16 KOs) and the towering 6ft 7ins southpaw – still only 28 – has won four since the lone loss of his career, to Brian Mendoza, twice defeating Tim Tszyu while also stopping Chordale Booker and Keith Thurman. Thurman was his last fight, in March.