WBA International Middleweight title: Caoimhin Agyarko (10-0) v Juan Carlos Rubio (18-1)
AGYARKO has given the impression of being a man who’s ready to cut loose all week.
Tougher tests lie down the road for him against big-hitters in a very competitive division and Rubio is the first southpaw he’ll have faced as a pro. Turf Lodge native Agyarko has predicted something special and if he lets his hands go Rubio won’t be able to live with him tonight.
“I can’t wait to just get in there and put on a good performance,” said Agyarko.
“I expect a tough fight. I’ve prepared well and I’ve been sparring great, everything’s went to plan in camp, and I have no complaints and I feel like you’re going to see a different side to my game on Saturday with Rubio being a southpaw. I feel like he’ll bring out the best in me in terms of that I can box a bit more and open up a bit more.
“It’s a great opportunity for me on this card but the plan is to go back home, and headline shows by the end of the year. I feel like after this fight or one more in the summer I’ll be ready for a big name.”
Lightweight: Gary Cully (13-0) v Miguel Vazquez (44-10)
NAAS lightweight Cully has been calling for a chance to show off his undoubted qualities on a decent stage and now he has it. He’ll have to earn his win against Vazquez who pushed Ohara Davies and Lewis Ritson all the way but lost out both times to debatable decisions.
“I think 2022 is the year that I plan on making a statement in the world rankings and stepping up in challenge and winning World titles and Vazquez is the first step in doing so,” he said.
“I’ve been building on the down-low on the MTK shows, the smaller hall scene for the last couple of years putting in big performances. This is my first kind of show on the big stage and I’m looking forward to showing everyone what I can do.”
Heavyweight: Thomas Carty (2-0) v Michal Boloz (2-3-2)
AFFABLE Dub Carty was signed by fellow heavyweight Dillian Whyte last year and he gets a valuable early opportunity to make a name for himself tonight. Boloz is a big unit but if Carty gets past him he wants to push on to an Irish title by the end of the year.
“I’m absolutely delighted there will be a big crowd coming over from Dublin on Saturday and hopefully I’ll progress on to the Irish title,” he said.
“I’ll be the first person then to win it since Tyson Fury (his manager’s next opponent) so I’m looking forward to that.”
Also tonight:
Vacant World Boxing Association Inter-Continental Female Lightweight title: Terri Harper (11-1-1) v Yamila Belen Abellaneda (13-4-1)
Super-lightweight: Sandy Ryan (3-0) v Erica Anabella Farias (26-5)
Light-heavyweight: Thomas Whittaker Hart (5-0) v Ben Thomas (2-14-3)
Featherweight: Nico Leivars (debut) v Jose Hernandez (4-38-1)
