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• Josh Kelley

Caoimhin Agyarko will always carry the scars.

Not just the seven-inch reminder staring back at him in the mirror every morning. But also the mental trauma which lingers nine years after he was stabbed in an unprovoked attack. Agyarko came within inches of death when he was assaulted by a gang in Belfast at the age of 20.

The Irishman found himself having to choose between revenge and motivation. He opted for the latter and tonight has the chance to become Ireland's first black world champion when he takes on Josh Kelly. "I don't think I'll ever mentally recover fully from it," Agyarko admitted.

"I've come a hell of a long way since then in terms of what it took from me, but it has also given me a lot. I think it changed my mindset and made me realise that if I wanted to achieve something in boxing that I have to give it my all and live with no regrets. As much as it sounds crazy, I think I'm a better person for getting stabbed.

"I have to look at my scar every single day knowing nobody was ever found guilty and nobody was ever arrested. The guy who stabbed me is still running the streets and living his life The main thing for me is the fact I had to make a very tough decision over whether to seek revenge or continue to chase greatness.

"I had to put my ego and pride to the side which was a very hard thing to do, but I knew the greater cause was to become the first black Irish world champion, and I couldn't mess up those plans because one person did something to me." Agyarko was born in London before moving to Belfast aged seven and the super-welterweight admits he stood out in his white neighbourhood.

"It was difficult in the early years because mine was one of the first mixed-race families in west Belfast," Agyarko added. "It was very unusual for the local people to see someone who was mixed-race. "When I moved to Belfast, I had an English accent and I think it was confusing for them.

"At the start they didn't really think I belonged there, but because my family's Irish, I’ve always considered myself Irish. I always felt like I was one of them and not long after, the British accent faded and I was treated like one of their own. I want to leave a legacy behind that says no matter where you're from, what culture or religion you are, you can achieve great things. I'm just a regular kid from Belfast trying to achieve something great."