Josh Kelly retained his IBF light-middleweight title with a split-decision victory over Caoimhin Agyarko in Saudi Arabia. Two judges scored it 115-112 for Kelly, the third 114-113. Kelly, now 19-1-1, built an early lead but fought through a cut and damaged nose after Agyarko rallied in the second half. Kelly lost a point in the sixth for a rabbit punch.

Agyarko, suffering his first loss to drop to 18-1, admitted he "didn't do enough" but believed he won the later rounds. "I'm just heartbroken I couldn't make history tonight," Agyarko said. He credited Kelly as a "classy operator" and vowed to return as "the first black Irish world champion."

Kelly praised Agyarko's effort: "Don't take it as a loss, take it as a learn." The win marks Kelly's ninth straight since his 2021 defeat to David Avanesyan. He urged Agyarko to show how much he wants it and bounce back like Kelly did years ago.