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Green belt monster – Caoimhin Agyarko wants the Irish title – open to challenging Craig O’Brien

Caoimhin Agyarko [4(1)-0] is already thinking about an Irish title shot and is open to challenging light middleweight champion Craig O’Brien [11(1)-1] or any noteworthy middleweight for a green strap.

Although he is aware one or two more learning fights would stand him in good stead, the Belfast fighter feels he is domestic level ready.

He recently inquired online to the status of the titles and would like a tilt next year.

The Queensbury prospect admits he would take a fight with ‘The Iron’ for the 154lbs title. The middleweight crown is currently in the possession of Luke Keeler, but like most Agyarko predicts the Ballyfermot middleweight would step aside and free up the belt as he closes in on a world title shot.

At first glance the London-based 22-year-old may look a high-risk low-reward option for O’Brien, a fighter looking to push onto the next level.

The Inner City Dub has American dreams and is hoping to build Stateside under the Murphys Boxing banner. However, Agyarko would bring the BT Sport cameras to the table and a victory over him live on TV could open some closer to home doors for the natural talent.

“The Irish title is definitely on my radar. I hope to to fight for a title next year some time I don’t want to be rushed but I am definitely ready,” Agyarko told Irish-Boxing.com ahead of his fifth professional contest this Saturday night in London. 

“[Craig O’Brien] is a fight I would take 100% at light middle. Then at middle I’m sure Luke [Keeler]will vacate and move on to world level, so whoever would be next in line for that I’d fight. There’s nobody in particular I want to fight, but if I got offered to fight for the belt against a solid opponent I would.”

The former National Elite Champion returns to action this weekend when he takes on Spanish-based Nicaraguan Nelson Altamirano [10(6)-31(14)-3] at York Hall. 

The bout will be ‘Black Thunder’s’ first eight rounder – a factor that will make him Irish title eligible – and he is expecting to be tested.

Altamirano knows his way around the ring and brought the likes of Paul Hyland Jr, Stephen Ormond and Dylan Moran the distance. However, Agyarko will be favoured to win and, as the bigger man with eight rounds at his disposal, may even push for the stoppage.

“I’m happy with how things are going: I’ve had tough enough fights for my first four fights and I’m stepping up to an eight rounder for this one so it should be another good test for me,” he adds before claiming his win over Scotland’s Paul Alison at the Ulster Hall last time out was his career best performance. 

I definitely think I was my best performance against a tough lad .I showed how good of a technical boxer I am that night rather than just being the aggressor.”

 

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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