By Phil D. Jay
Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Callum “The One” Johnson has been speaking to me about his recent move to Joe Gallagher’s Gym in Denton, Manchester. The Commonwealth Games gold medallist joins the likes of John Murray, Matthew Macklin and Paul Smith at one of the most talented gyms in the UK.
The 25-year-old from Boston, Lincolnshire, who represented Scotland successfully in Dehli last year through his Scottish grandmother, joined up with the group of champions earlier this week and has been relishing training alongside British, European and titleholders for the past couple of days.
“It’s going really well so far, I am enjoying it,” Johnson told WBN. “The first couple of days have really brought the sparkle back to training for me. Joe (Gallagher) is a terrific coach and I am looking forward to learning from him in the future.”
“I always planned to move to a professional base after a couple of pro fights, as I have been training with my Dad and my amateur coaches for the past five years and with Joe Gallagher’s knowledge, the fighters here, like Macklin and the Smith brothers, there seemed like only one place to come.”
Johnson is 2-0, with one knockout since joining the professional ranks after the Dehli games and is now under the tutelage of former WBC, WBO and IBF featherweight champion Prince Naseem Hamed, who had predicted great things for his charge, including ten straight knockouts and a world title within three years.
“Naz likes to make his predictions, I have never been one for that and can’t let that affect me. I just want to win my first ten fights, no matter how they come. I found myself trying to load up in my first two fights, trying to knock out my opponents, but I have to bide my time and if a knockout comes, it comes.”
With the recent Prizefighter tournament and Rocky Fieldling’s success after just three professional fights, I asked Callum whether it would be something he might be interested in as it could fast track him through the rankings with just one night’s work and put him on the brink of a title shot.
“That’s all down to the team, to Frank and Naz, it’s in their hands. If they think it’s something I can benefit from, then I would do it. I wouldn’t rule anything out at this stage.
“Right now, I don’t know when I am back in the ring; I am hoping to get on the May 21st bill, which would be a great card to fight on at the O2 Arena, but I am just waiting to hear.
“I have just got to keep winning and take each fight one at a time. A domestic title in the near future would be great. I will just leave in the hands of Naz and Frank and hopefully a world title will come, no matter how long it takes.”
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net