BELFAST and Liverpool share many similarities, not least regarding the fierce appetite for boxing, and indeed combat sports more broadly, that exists in both cities.
Ultimately, fighting means something to the people that live in such communities, representing an artform they can connect with on a deeper level than most.
It is perhaps no wonder, then, that Caoimhin Agyarko has taken to his surroundings like a duck to water, immersing himself in what is, for the most part, a refreshingly familiar environment.
“One of the reasons why I moved up from London to Liverpool was because Liverpool is so similar to Belfast,” the 28-year-old told Boxing News.
“I like to call Belfast a smaller Liverpool, because the people are very similar and it’s a fighting city.
“When you’re in a city – away from home – that just feels like home, it makes each camp that much easier.
“I’m away from my family and friends for 12 weeks at a time and, when I used to be in London, it was very difficult being in a city that’s so busy, whereas Liverpool is very relaxed. It’s my home away from home.”
Agyarko, 17-0 (7 KOs), moved up from London – parting ways with trainer Al Smith – and joined forces with Joe McNally, only to then build a flourishing relationship with Stephen ‘Swifty’ Smith, his current head coach, while remaining in Liverpool.
But of course, no matter where he trains, the Belfast man’s almost palpable love for fighting can never be questioned.
“We’re the fighting Irish,” Agyarko says, a confident grin appearing across his face.
“When you’re growing up [in Belfast], you either box or you play one of our sports, like Gaelic football or hurling.
“But I just think that we come from a small city where our history is all about fighting, and it’s just embedded in us.
“I’m a very proud person to come from Ireland and, whenever I get in that ring, I carry that pride with me. I want to make my fans and supporters proud.”
Agyarko will be presented with the opportunity to do just that next Saturday, when he locks horns with Ishmael Davis on the undercard of Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan 2.
When considering a selection of his recent performances, though, the slick technician, who enters his third fight with former two-time world title challenger Smith in his corner, promises to deliver a particularly polished approach at Windsor Park, Belfast.
“I think what ‘Swifty’ brings to the table, in terms of improving me as a fighter, is going to be so valuable to my career,” he says.
“He’s been there, he’s done it, he’s worn the t-shirt… and now he’s passing his knowledge to me.
“I think he’s bringing me back to the old Caoimhin, letting me naturally use my boxing ability rather than forcing things and trying to be an aggressive puncher.
“I love having him in my corner – he’s never going to ask me to do something that he hasn’t done himself.”
Anything less than a career-best performance, it seems, could put Agyarko in genuine danger of falling short against Davis, who comes off two impressive displays, both on short notice, against Josh Kelly and Serhii Bohachuk.
An extra layer of needle has only added to the anticipation ahead of their super-welterweight contest, too, with both combatants offering contrasting recollections of a previous sparring session.
But regardless of their barbs over social media, Agyarko remains convinced that he has his man gunned down in every department.
“For me, it’s never personal – it’s strictly business,” he insists. “Ishmael Davis means absolutely nothing to me, other than somebody standing in the way of me achieving my dreams.
“With him, one minute it’s personal and the next minute it’s not. Him and his team are trying to create some sort of beef online, maybe trying to sell the fight a bit more, but I think it’s going to be an exciting fight regardless.
“I don’t believe Ishmael Davis, on a skill level, is as good as me, and I just believe that I have everything as a whole to beat him, whether it’s the boxing IQ, the grit, the heart, the chin, the footwork, the hand speed or the power.
“Whether I have to stand in the pocket and punch holes in him, whether I make him miss for 12 rounds, or whether I knock him out with a counter punch… Caoimhin Agyarko wins September 13.”
