London Calling – Relocation the only option for Caoimhin Agyarko ahead of pro debut

Swapping West Belfast for South London, Caoimhin Agyarko is investing in himself and his professional career ahead of his debut tomorrow night.

The Belfast middleweight has linked up with Frank Warren and relocated to the iBox Gym in Bromley under trainers Al Smith and Eddie Lam.

Joining the likes of Bradley Skeete and Johnny Garton, both of whom share his debut card tomorrow night at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, Agyarko hasn’t entered professional boxing half-heartedly

“My plan was always to move away from Belfast once I turned professional or was seeking to turn pro,” he explained.

“I think over here [London] there is more sparring, coaching and stuff, so I wanted to get away and get a better opportunity than I would just staying in Belfast.”

Leaving family and friends behind for weeks at a time, 21-year-old Agyarko believes that “nothing in life comes easy and, if you want to do great things, you have to take yourself out of your comfort zone.”

“I always knew from a young age that I would want to get away to make sure there would be no distractions, not that there would be.”

“I think taking myself away to London for camps for six to eight weeks at a time will test me mentally and I will be able to focus better and put in the work more than I would back home.”

Agyarko isn’t trying to create a sob story, not by any means.

The Belfast youngster noted that “I do have family here – cousins and my dad – so it is not as hard as people imagine for me.”

“I will still be living in Belfast though because I will just be based in Bromley for camps.”

The Holy Trinity graduate tipped the scales at 164.25lbs this afternoon ahead of his first fight – a six rounder versus Slovak journeyman Ladislav Nemeth [11(5)-52(16)-9].

Agyarko is keen to impress in a fight which will be shown live on BT Sport and wants to show that he is more than just the one punch knockout clips that populate social media.

‘Black Thunder’ described how “a lot of people think because I am small and stocky and look big, that I am just a big puncher.”

“It is not the case, I’ve a great boxing brain, I think, and I am good with my footwork and being able to adapt in fights.”

“It just depends, everyone has their own style and I would say I am an aggressive counter puncher. I go forward and back and it just depends on who my opponent is on the night.”

“I have fast hands and I have power. I have a bit of everything and that is why coming to Al was such an easy decision for me because he is such a good coach and I wanted someone who can improve me.”

“I know how good I am or how good I can be but, obviously, you can always improve and that is what I am looking to do.”