The unshackled Josh Kelly plots 'absolute spectacle' against Caoimhin Agyarko

Josh Kelly has never been short of ability. His silky skillset was obvious even when just an amateur and, upon turning professional, great things were expected of the Englishman.

But his career didn’t quite transpire as expected.

There was the draw against the wily “New” Ray Robinson in New York in June 2019 that was followed by a lacklustre points victory over Wiston Campos six months later.

The next time he stepped foot in the ring, in February 2021, he was stopped in six rounds by David Avanesyan. Kelly himself later admitted that, psychologically, he was struggling to bring the out the best in himself.

What followed was eight successive victories that culminated in his upset victory over Bakhram Murtazaliev in January that won the 32-year-old the IBF junior middleweight title. Kelly claimed a majority decision and came through some tough spots to prove to the doubters – and to himself – that he belongs at world level.

Kelly, 18-1-1 (9 KOs), makes the first defense against Caoimhin Agyarko on Saturday, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua-Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia.

"The thing it has done for me inside is worth its weight in gold," Kelly told Sky Sports about that victory over Murtazaliev.

"It's a weird one because, in training and everything, everyone is saying I just look different. These are the closest people to me, watching me go to work every day.

"It's a crazy experience. You don't know what something like this does for you, spiritually, energetically, motivation-wise, everything.

"It's actually taken a lot of expectation off. It's like I can now just let loose, let the reins go and just enjoy everything.”