Ishmael Davis is looking forward to taking the first step on the long road back to world level when he boxes the undefeated Caoimhin Agyarko on September 13.

The 12-round junior middleweight fight will take place on the undercard of the IBF welterweight title fight between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan. The event will be screened live from Belfast’s Windsor Park by DAZN.

After suffering back-to back defeats to Josh Kelly and Serhii Bohachuk, Davis is raring to get back into action against the undefeated Agyarko (17-0, 7 KOs).

“I believe that everything happens for a reason,” Davis (13-2, 6 KOs) told The Ring. “I don't cry over spilt milk. I just get back on the train and keep going, man.

“I'm in the best position I've been in in my boxing career right now.”

In September 2024, Davis jumped at a late notice opportunity and replaced the stricken Liam Smith to box Kelly on the undercard of the IBF heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua. Despite a late surge, Davis lost the 12-round middleweight fight by majority decision.

His performance earned him another high profile opportunity. Last December, he was handed a spot on the undercard of the rematch between unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, and Tyson Fury.

Although he was back at his preferred weight of junior middleweight, The Ring's No. 6 ranked 154-pound fighter, Bohachuk, was too knowledgeable and well-rounded for Davis and the Leeds-born fighter was retired by his corner after six rounds.

After spending three months at the centre of the boxing world, Davis stepped out of the spotlight to regroup.

The 30-year-old hasn’t been idle. He spent two months training and sparring in Las Vegas and Miami and the thought of travelling to Agyarko’s backyard holds little fear for him.

“I've got to be beating these guys,” he said. “Everyone's talking about fighting Sam Gilley for the British title.

“If I don't beat Caoimhin, I don't deserve the British title. I've got to go in there and come out of my comfort zone, but that's we do best, man. I'm going to beat him.

“I’m a strong-hearted guy.”

The six difficult rounds he spent in the ring with Bohachuk opened Davis’ eyes to exactly what it will take to succeed amongst top class company.

Although he started boxing as an 11-year-old, Davis drifted away from the sport during his difficult teenage years and turned professional without any amateur grounding.

His natural ability and willingness to take risks saw him make quick progress but now he knows that there are no short-cuts available to world title level.

Encouragingly, the realisation hasn’t dampened Davis’ enthusiasm and he has committed to putting in the hard work and doing what it takes to earn another major shot.

The fight with Agyarko is this first chance to show what he has learned but Davis knows that it is also just the first of many steps.

“It’s given me more motivation, man. That's the level I want to be at,” he said.

“I showed in the first round that I've got it in me to be at that level, but it just takes a lot of time to build up there.

“I gave him the range, I got too close. I made a mistake and got too comfortable because I didn't think he was a better [boxer]. I don't think he's a better boxer. I just believe that he's experienced and he can keep going and going and going and going.

“That comes through your body going through camp, after camp, after camp because your body gets stronger and used to going through the hard work. I’ve only done 13 camps in my life. These guys have had the amateur career, which I didn't have, and have done 20-odd camps so the experience comes.”