Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko is set to face Brandon Adams in a final eliminator for the IBF light-middleweight title.

The belt is currently held by Russia’s Bakhram Murtazaliev who defends against England’s Josh Kelly in Newcastle on 31 January.

With the number one and number two positions in the IBF rankings currently vacant, Agyarko and Adams – the next highest-ranked contenders available – will fight to determine who becomes the mandatory challenger.

It is understood negotiations had already begun for a fight between the pair prior to the IBF’s ruling and it is possible a deal on the date and venue could be concluded prior to a purse bid being ordered, with a deadline of 5 December given.

“Please be advised that number six ranked Brandon Adams and number eight Caoimhin Agyarko are the two highest-ranked available contenders in the IBF Jr [light] middleweight division,” read a letter sent to both parties by the IBF.

“Both have confirmed in writing their willingness to participate in an eliminatory bout.

“Accordingly, the IBF is ordering an elimination contest between these two contenders to determine the mandatory challenger for the number one position in the division.

“The winner of the bout will be designated as the number one contender and the mandatory challenger.”

Agyarko maintained his perfect record, improving to 18-0, when surviving a 12th-round knockdown against Ishmael Davis at Windsor Park on 13 September to win by split decision.

The 28-year-old had just one outing in a frustrating 2024, but the Davis victory was his third of 2025 which has moved him into the title mix.

Adams is a former title challenger at middleweight, but fell to a unanimous decision defeat by Jermall Charlo for the WBC belt in 2019.

The 36-year-old Californian’s most recent bout was in Las Vegas in September when out-pointing Serhii Bohachuk to improve to 26-4 and reignite his career following defeat by Andreas Katzourakis 10 months earlier.