Agyarko and Adams were due to fight for a shot at the title held by Sunderland’s Kelly, but before the fighters stepped on the scale ahead of Saturday’s biggest fight at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Adams collapsed and was taken to hospital.
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The symptoms of Adams’ collapse are yet to be confirmed, but the 36-year-old was immediately ruled out of Saturday’s fight with Agyarko’s manager Ready, saying “his health is the most important thing so we wish him a speedy recovery” but feels the 29-year-old from Belfast should move on.
“It’s not unfair to say that Brandon Adams can’t gain 154 (pounds) again, so we’re not ready to bet on whether that’s possible in the future,” Ready told BBC Sport NI.
“We would love to jump in and fight Josh Kelly next and I will put pressure on the IBF and Daryl Peoples (IBF president and CEO), so that’s our position.
“Adams may want to reschedule, but as a team that’s not something we’re interested in as he needs to prove he can make the weight and based on today’s evidence, he can’t.”
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Lewis Crocker, Agyarko’s former amateur gymmate and current IBF welterweight champion, will travel to face mandatory challenger Liam Paro in Australia.
Paro was due to face Ireland’s Paddy Donovan in a final eliminator in January before Donovan withdrew due to illness, prompting the IBF to install the former light welterweight world champion as next in line.
Ready feels the sanctioning body needs to be consistent and therefore order Kelly to face Agyarko next.
“I made a very strong case and sent an email to Josh Kelly’s promoters, so let’s see what happens,” he confirmed.
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“We are strongly pushing that position now, but we hope Caoimhin has some luck and vindication.”
‘My dreams have been shattered’ – Agyarko
Agyarko expressed his disappointment at the cancellation of Saturday’s fight.
The Belfast man took to social media to commiserate with those who had made the journey to follow him, but insists: “I will be world champion.”
“I am absolutely heartbroken to announce that my fight tomorrow night is off. Unfortunately, my opponent fainted this morning, was rushed to hospital and was declared medically unfit to fight,” Agyarko posted.
“Firstly, I hope Brandon Adams is okay and recovers quickly. Secondly, my dreams have been shattered, I put my heart and soul into this camp/fight, I trained very hard, I was in the best shape of my life, after 14 tough weeks away from my family, girlfriend and friends,” he continued.
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“Thousands of pounds spent now I can’t have the fight of my American dream, I don’t get paid and I don’t know what will happen next, but what I do know is that one day I will be world champion, my mind is bulletproof, I have had setbacks many times and I won’t let this stop me from chasing my dreams.
“To my fans who have traveled to Las Vegas to see me perform I can only apologize. To my sponsors, I can only apologize, I appreciate the support. I am suffering right now, but soon I will be back in the ring and I will be world champion.”