The 32-year-old Brit will get a chance to wipe the smirk off his opponent's face when they face off Saturday on the Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga card at Jeddah Superdome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, streamed on DAZN pay-per-view.

Kelly, who won his IBF junior middleweight title by outpointing Bakhram Murtazaliev on January 31, doesn't believe he gets the respect he deserves. But for his upcoming title defense against Agyarko (18-0, 7 KOs), he’s sure the boxing world will pay more attention to him once he's finished dismantling his man.

“This is going to be a statement fight,” Kelly told The Ring during a recent sit-down. “I punch a lot harder than people think. That’s why Murtazaliev didn’t walk and start throwing punches, because you have to be careful. And I sat him on his ass. He needs to be prepared for the hardest, sharpest, toughest fight of his life.”

Agyarko, who’s ranked No. 4 by the IBF, has been waiting for his shot on the big stage. The 29-year-old Irishman grabbed a split decision over Ishmael Davis in his most recent fight last September.

That win didn't impress Kelly (18-1-1, 9 KOs). In fact, none of Agyarko's 18 victories have caught Kelly’s attention. From his point of view, Agyarko has fought decent competition, but this is another level.

“I feel like I’ve seen a lot of him,” Kelly said. “There’s things that he does in the ring that will not work against me. He’s not boxed anyone like me. That’s the true statement. Like no one remotely like me.”