British great Naseem Hamed has backed new pro Callum Johnson to become a world champion inside three years.

 

Hamed, who made fifteen defences of his WBO World Featherweight title and the lit up boxing in the 90s with his flamboyant style and explosive punching, makes a welcome return to boxing and is applying to the British Boxing Board of Control to be Johnson's manager.

 

Johnson, 25, won gold for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi earlier this year and makes his glittering debut on December 4 at the Braehead Arena, Glasgow.

 

Ricky Burns will headline, making the first defence of his WBO World Super-Featherweight title against Andreas Evensen, live on Sky Sports 1HD.

 

Johnson will be promoted by Frank Warren, and Hamed believes he can follow in his footsteps and lift a world title.

 

"When Callum lands with that left hook, no light-heavyweight in the world will be a able to take his power," said Hamed.

 

"It's the sweetest left hook I've seen in ages and people are going to be crumbling before him.

 

"He's got explosive power and he really is a man for the big occasion.

 

"I'm so pleased that I can start putting something back into boxing starting with Callum, and because I won't be managing too many boxers, it means I can really concentrate on making him a star.

 

"He's definitely going to be a world champion, and I think he can do it inside three years.

 

"He is a breath of fresh air and really exciting, and I am delighted to be starting my managerial career with him.

 

"With Frank Warren promoting him, Callum is going to do Scotland, England and Britain proud.

 

"I've got very happy memories of what I achieved in Scotland, but Callum can do even better.

 

"I saw him box at the Commonwealth Games and I was very impressed with the way in which he performed.

 

"I think British boxing has got a real talent on its hands."

 

Johnson, who qualified for Scotland for the Commonwealth Games through his grandmother and boxes out of Lincoln, added: "It's fantastic to be making my debut on such a big show in Glasgow.

 

"Naz has been telling me about some of his experiences in Scotland, and if I can achieve just a fraction of what he did, then I will be very happy.

 

"I believe I can go all the way in this sport, and I can't wait to get things started on December 4.

 

"Naz was an inspiration when I was growing up, and a whole generation of fighters want to be like him.

 

"To have him managing me is a dream come true, while I couldn't have got a better promoter than Frank Warren.

 

"Just look at what he did for Naz's career - now I'm hoping that he can do the same to me.

 

"Winning gold for Scotland was one of the proudest moments of my career.

 

"My grandmother had tears in her eyes when Flower of Scotland was played at the arena. But now I want to win a world title for Britain."

 

Tickets for Monarch of the Glen, priced at £50, £75 and £100, are available from:

 

Braehead Arena

0844 499 1700


 

Ticket Master

0844 844 0444


 

See Tickets

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