Kelly repeatedly maintained in the build-up a desire to test himself against the division's best: starting with rising pound-for-pound star and WBA, WBO champion Jaron Ennis in a three-belt unification. Having inflicted Agyarko's career-first defeat via unanimous decision in a messy fight, he's ready to make it happen.

"I want it next," Kelly said during his post-fight interview. "People will be smiling looking at that, but [Agyarko is] a tricky night for anyone. Someone rushing in, diving in, heads, elbows, everything... he made it a tough night. I want the big names in the division, already took out one big name in Bakhram Murtazaliev. Let me get the other ones."

Kelly (19-1-1, 9 KOs) began his championship reign after an upset majority decision win over Murtazaliev on January 31. However Ennis, The Ring's No. 9 pound-for-pound boxer, would present a significantly bigger test.

Ennis (36-0, 32 KOs, 1 NC) took another step toward true stardom, stopping then-unbeaten Xander Zayas in seven rounds to take Zayas' IBF and WBA belts last month. The Ring's No. 1 junior middleweight said further unification is his goal, meaning fellow titleholders Kelly and WBC beltholder Sebastian Fundora (24-1-1, 16 KOs) are priorities.

Kelly, The Ring's No. 6 divisional contender for its vacant title, wants the Philly star to know that he isn't scared of him. But before they can begin negotiations, the 32-year-old Brit wants to rest up and heal from his wounds.

"That was a messy, hard fight," Kelly said. "I knew he was gonna be very tricky, awkward... he had a good game plan. I just had to show a different side of me in the end. That's what a champion does."