Katie Taylor's world title fight at the 3Arena next Saturday is set to be one of the sporting highlights of the year, and Caoimhín Agyarko is relishing the opportunity to play his part in proceedings.
In fact, the Belfast prospect is intent on stealing the show, as he looks to make it a lucky 13th victory in a row to maintain his unblemished record in the professional ranks.
An elite amateur champion, Agyarko moved into the paid ranks in 2018 and has enjoyed 12 straight victories throughout a four-year period with seven of the wins coming by way of knock-out.
Perhaps Ireland’s next world champion, Agyarko certainly has the backing to go right to the top of the game as he is part of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable, alongside Saturday’s star attraction Taylor.
One of the greatest athletes of all time, is how Agyarko describes Taylor, and while the 26-year-old was always likely to be fighting on the undercard of a Matchroom event in Ireland, he is extremely appreciative of the undisputed lightweight champion for creating such opportunities for the emerging generation of Irish professional boxers.
"Katie is an unbelievable person and it’s amazing to see her finally fight back home," said Agyarko, speaking to RTÉ Sport.
"What she has done for boxing, for Irish sport and for Irish boxing is amazing. She has paved the way for fighters like myself to be on cards like this, and getting us the opportunity to go out and showcase our skills.
"I hold her in such high regard. She is an amazing person and an amazing athlete. It’s crazy how humble and down to earth she is after everything she has achieved. And she is so inspiring the way she always challenges herself to that next level, and it is great for fighters like myself that are coming after to have a role model to set the standard.
"Katie is probably the greatest athlete of all time, and on 20 May, the night will go down in history as she becomes a two-weight undisputed world champion."
Agyarko is returning to the ring for the first time since July 2022, and would be further along the path to his aspired world level only for a hand injury, which forced him to pull out of a scheduled fight last October.
The Holy Trinity boxer brings a clean bill of health to Dublin next Saturday night, and while he is fully expected to keep the zero in his losses column intact in what amounts to a comeback fight, he believes it will prove a springboard for tougher fights to come later in the year.
"The hand is fine, it has held up well thankfully," said Agyarko. "I had surgery in my thumb and I have no issues. Full power. I’m sparring away. I’ve been hitting the pads and the bag, full power. No issues.
"My mindset going into the ring is always seek and destroy, you don’t get paid for overtime. I always want to put on a show. I’m fit enough to go ten rounds but I’m hoping to get it done inside the distance.
"I was building momentum, but unfortunately I had an injury, so now I’m looking to push on to European level this year."
Thanks to the Matchroom connections, Agyarko has already fought on big boxing nights, alongside fellow Belfast native Michael Conlan during his ill-fated world title bout with Leigh Wood in Nottingham last year, as well as boxing on a Katie Taylor card in Liverpool.
And yet, Agyarko believes that the Dublin event will surpass both occasions in what looks set to be a memorable night by the banks of the River Liffey.
"I’m no stranger to big fight nights, but this is a massive, massive night in Irish sporting history, and I think it will go down as one of the greatest nights in Irish sporting history.
"I’m relishing the moment and to be part of this event. It’s amazing to have big time boxing back in the capital.
"There will be lots of Irish fans tuning in, so I’ll be looking to steal the show as always."
Agyarko is another of a growing group of Irish boxers who gave up the chance to represent his country at the Olympics by opting into the paid ranks, and while there is an element of regret that remains, the decision to go pro is, he believes, proving the right call.
"I didn’t qualify for Rio (2016 Olympics)," said Agyarko. "I was still very young and lost out on the Irish elite title by a split decision.
"I do have regrets about not staying as a amateur but then you look at what happened with the (2020) Olympics getting delayed, I probably made the right decision.
"I always had that pro style of fighting and I thought it was the right time to turn professional.
"I was 21 or 22 and I thought that gave me enough time to adapt and learn on the job and change my style slightly, so I think I turned at the right time."
While it is still relatively early in Agyarko’s professional career, he may have already fought the biggest battle of his life.
In May 2017, the then 20-year-old was attacked on the street back in his native Belfast and was stabbed in the face and neck and was fortunate to survive the knife wound, which thankfully just missed a major artery.
By his own admission, Agyarko hit rock bottom following the attack but somehow bounced back to secure his last Irish title in an amateur vest just nine months on from waking up in a hospital bed.
"I have a six-inch scar down the side of my face and I see that every day in the mirror," said Agyarko.
"I went through a lot of adversity in my life. And what happened in 2017 shaped and changed my priorities. I use that as motivation every day. I know what I have been through and I know what I have had to do to get to this stage of my career.
"I got stabbed in May and the following February, I won the elite title, and looking back from where I came from, it’s a great achievement for myself, and it shows that no matter where you are in life or what you are going through you can still achieve great things.
"It has helped build my character and my mental toughness and you need that inside the ring and in training camps as it is very hard, so I have learned from it and it has kind of benefitted me in a way."
6 years today an unprovoked attack left me an inch from death, blessed and thankful to still be here a real blessing in disguise as getting stabbed made me a better person and a better fighter 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/gFBYXitbwA
— Caoimhín Agyarko (@caoimhinagyarko) May 1, 2023
With one eye on Saturday night’s fight, Agyarko is already looking to the future as he attempts to map out the rest of the year, which he hopes will bring a tilt for a European belt.
And he is hoping that the return of big time boxing to Dublin will also help relaunch the bid for Katie Taylor to box at Croke Park at the end of the summer.
Agyarko is happy to tag along for the ride and once again take pride of place on any future Taylor show, however, given the preference of the GAA headquarters or a return to the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, there is only one winner.
"I’d love to be out in July or August and then once more before the end of the year," said Agyarko.
"There is still talk of Croke Park happening in September, and if that happens it would be amazing and I’d love to be on that card.
"I’d love to go to Madison Square Garden, but if it was between Croke Park and Madison Square Garden, it would be Croke Park all day."
