Introducing Callum Walsh – Wild Card fighter promises to bring world title back to Riverstown in five years
Callum Walsh says he will make up for not winning a National Elite Championship for Riverstown BC by bringing a pro world title back to the club within five years.
The Cork youngster travelled to LA earlier this year in a bid to gain an edge going into the proposed National Elite Championships this year.
However, with COVID wreaking havoc and all but putting the amateur scene on hold Walsh has elected to turn over.
The 2017 European Junior Champion admits there is a degree of disappointment about leaving the amateurs without a Senior National Elite title on his mantlepiece.
The Rebel county native wanted to bring senior amateur glory to the club behind his underage success. The fighter, who would have felt he had an outside Tokyo 2020 chance before the World qualifiers were canceled, won’t be able to do that now but has promised the honour the club by being a pro success.
“There is a lot of sadness not being able to bring an elite title back to Riverstown boxing club but I plan to make up for it by bringing a world title back in the next 5 years,” the confident youngster told Irish-boxing.com.
The Riverstown BC graduate fully intended to remain amateur when he linked up with his father Stateside, initially only making the move because lockdown meant he couldn’t train at home.
However, promoters have started to express an interest and with very little light at the end of the amateur tunnel, Walsh becomes the latest young talent to join the paid ranks.
“I changed my mind when I realised there is a lot of interest for me to turn pro here. Plus everything seems to be moving very slow at home, especially since boxing clubs are still closed, while I’m able to train properly and move forward with my career out here,” he explains.
The 20-year-old has ended up in the Wild Card Gym and is working under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.
Roach’s decision to work with the Irish propsect obvioulsy hasn’t gone unnoticed by promotional outfits. Walsh reveals there is interest a plenty and numerous offers to be studied.
“I have a lot of options regarding promoters but at the moment I’m taking my time and trying to get myself the best deal possible. I will know within the next few weeks,” he adds before discussing his link up with Roach, who also works with the McKenna brothers Stevie and Aaron.
“Working in the Wild Card with Freddie Roach, at the start was definitely pinch yourself stuff. You never know who’s going to walk in the door. Me and Freddie have a very good relationship now and I feel like I’m part of the Wildcard family.”
While he has confirmed he is now a pro operator Walsh has to decide on a team before revealing debut plans but he is keen to get out this summer.
“At the moment I’ve no idea of when I’m making my debut but I’m aiming for some time around the end of June or July.”
Once he makes that debut the young prospect is confident he will entertain.
“Style-wise everyone knows I can box and as I’ve shown in the amateur game I can punch as well – and working with Freddie it’s definitely a more aggressive style and that’s what I’m working on at the moment.”
