Caoimhin Agyarko will enjoy the quickest turnaround of his career.

Strangely, it comes at the expense of a fighter who's become known for accepting short-notice assignments.

An injury late in training camp has forced Leeds’ Ishmael Davis out of his planned 10-round junior middleweight showdown with countryman Ryan Kelly this weekend. Davis was since replaced by the unbeaten Agyarko, a London-born and Belfast-based contender who reportedly accepted the fight last week upon first learning of the opportunity.

“Unfortunately, due to an unexpected injury, I have to withdraw from my fight,” Davis revealed via Instagram. “I’m gutted, but I’ll return stronger. Apologies to everyone who was looking forward to the fight.” 

Agyarko-Kelly comes in supporting capacity to the Dalton Smith- Mathieu Germain junior welterweight clast this Saturday on DAZN from Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England.

Agyarko, 16-0 (7 KO), has struggled with ring activity in more than six years as a pro, though it’s not at all an issue here. The 28-year-old is coming off an eight-round points win on March 30 and immediately returned to the gym.

His decision to stay ready to avoid having to get ready reaped major dividends, as he is now blessed with two fights in a 20-day span. 

Kelly, 19-5-1 (8 KOs), aims to reverse a two-fight winless streak.

The 31-year-old Birmingham native suffered a 12-round, split decision to Kieron Conway last November 30 in his hometown. The setback came five months after he fought Gerome Warburton to a 10-round draw on June 14 in Bolton.

Davis’ due fight came after his last two ring appearances came in replace of former titlists who fell out late in the promotion. 

He filled the void left behind by an injured Liam Smith to face Josh Kelly, against whom he dropped a disputed majority decision on the September 21 Riyadh Season: Wembley Edition at London’s famed Wembley Stadium. 

Three months later, Davis replaced an ill Israil Madrimov versus Serhii Bohachuk on the December 21 undercard to the Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury heavyweight championship rematch. Bohachuk defeated the 30-year-old Brit via sixth-round knockout. 

A rare full training camp ironically proved to be his undoing this time around.

The show’s headlining act is geared for Smith, 17-0 (13 KOs), to inch closer to his first major title shot. The 28-year-old local hero will become the WBC mandatory challenger should he turn away Canada’s Germain, 26-2-1 (11 KOs), in their final elimination bout this Saturday.

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on and .