Brandon Adams vs Caoimhin Agyarko Deal Reached For April 18

January 7, 2026

A deal has been reached for the IBF World Super-Welterweight Title final eliminator between Caoimhin Agyarko and Brandon Adams.

The fight is set to go down on April 18 to determine the next mandatory challenger to Bakhram Murtazaliev’s 154-pound crown.

Brandon Adams vs Caoimhin Agyarko Deal Reached

A deal has been reached between Brandon Adams and Caoimhin Agyarko to determine who will become the IBF mandatory challenger and face super-welterweight king Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Adams vs Agyarko purse bids were set for Tuesday, January 6, but weren’t needed as both teams reportedly came to an agreement and signed a deal for the fight on January 5.

Purse bids were avoided with both parties seemingly happy with the deal put on the table. This means that ‘Black Thunder’ and Adams will get it on in a compelling light-middleweight match-up with the winner within touching distance of winning that elusive world title.

For now, the fight is expected to land on Saturday, April 18 in America. The Toyota Center in Ontario, California is being targeted as the venue for the bout, meaning Agyarko will be travelling to Adams’ back yard.

https://twitter.com/boxingscene/status/2008620789327712266

That’s according to The Ring Magazine’s Manouk Akopyan, who revealed this information about a date and venue for the IBF final eliminator.

There is so much riding on the Adams vs Agyarko fight, with the winner securing the right to become mandatory challenger to the IBF champion. The IBF king is currently Murtazaliev, who is defending his belt against Josh Kelly on January 31 in Newcastle, England.

Provided Murtazaliev wins against Kelly, his next fight will be against the Adams vs Agyarko winner. If Kelly wins however, he may be granted a voluntary defence first, or perhaps even a rematch with Murtazaliev.

🥊 AGYARKO & ADAMS AGREE DEAL!

@caoimhinagyarko and Brandon Adams have reached a deal for their ordered final eliminator for the IBF Super-Welterweight World title!💥

📈 The winner of #AgyarkoAdams will be the mandatory to the winner of #MurtazalievKelly

(@boxingscene) pic.twitter.com/1Z0rJ2OVKb

— International Boxing News (@IntBoxingNews) January 6, 2026

Adams vs Agyarko Set For April 18 In California

Brandon Adams vs Caoimhin Agyarko was first ordered by the IBF back in November, with the sanctioning body putting their #5 ranked fighter (Adams) against the #7 challenger (Agyarko).

Purse bids for the match-up were called in December, before being pushed back to January 6. However, a deal was struck between both teams, meaning purse bids weren’t required with both fighters seemingly happy with the deal put on the table.

The American fighter earned his place in the IBF top 15 after a repeat win over dangerous super-welterweight Serhii Bohackuk, entering the rankings straight away at #5 thanks to lobbying from his management team Wise Owl Management.

Adams vs Agyarko would of been a superb Co-main to Crokers next fight in Belfast.

All the best @caoimhinagyarko go show them who you are 👊👊👊@PaulReady #Boxing

— MB 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸 (@BoxeoMarshy) January 6, 2026

Agyarko on the other hand had an incredibly active 2025 after a frustrating period the year before. The Irishman defeated Ryan Kelly and Ishmael Davis most notably during his successful year last term, overcoming the politics of the sport after being left in the lurch somewhat.

The 18-0 Belfast fighter has continuously vowed to become ‘the first black Irish world champion’, and is closer than ever to achieving his goal and writing his name into boxing folklore.

As well as being ranked highly and in a final eliminator position with the IBF, Agyarko also climbed to second in the latest WBA super-welterweight rankings.

This year could prove to be the year that ‘Black Thunder’ finally gets his shot at a world title and perhaps even wins one. It won’t be easy in a stacked division full of talented fighters, but the Belfast man certainly has a chance at least.