Showing posts with label Callum Walsh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Callum Walsh. Show all posts

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Is Callum Walsh Ready For A World Title Shot?

One of the traditions of St. Patrick's Day week in New York City, NY in many years have been Boxing cards held in Madison Square Garden’s Theater, which in this observer’s youth was known as the Felt Forum. While this has developed into a tradition over many years, there have been times where it has not been held every year, most notably during the global COVID-19 epidemic. Nevertheless, Boxing in New York City during St. Patrick's Day week has served as a springboard of sorts for fighters on the verge of fighting for world championships, from Featherweight contender Michael Conlan, to former Middleweight contender John Duddy, who participated in what turned out to be an all-time classic in The Theater at Madison Square Garden in 2006 when he went toe to toe for twelve brutal rounds against former Jr. Middleweight world champion Luis “Yory Boy” Campas, defeating him via unanimous decision and establishing himself back then as a contender in the Middleweight division.


On March 15th, The Theater played host to a rising prospect, who like Duddy before him many years ago, might look to make a home for himself inside of Madison Square Garden, or at least establish either The Theater or the Garden’s main arena, as a frequent stop as he continues his career. Yours truly is referring to undefeated Jr. Middleweight Callum Walsh. Walsh, who was fighting for the second consecutive time in The Theater after scoring a ten round unanimous decision in November of last year over Ismael Villarreal. In some ways, Walsh took a significant step forward in that fight because it was the first time he had gone ten rounds in his career. This time, the opposition for Walsh would come in the form of Dauren Yeleussinov. A veteran of fifteen professional fights coming into this encounter, Yeleussinov may have been getting what amounted to a last chance to enter into world title contention at thirty-seven years of age.


Nevertheless, Yeleussinov was an opponent that one could expect to see on the way up for a prospect like Walsh. The addition of this bout being for the WBC Continental Americas championship in the Jr. Middleweight division also presented another step up for Walsh. What occurred in this fight was perhaps a prospect showing that he might be ready to face a top contender or potentially challenge for a world championship, but also a testament of one fighter’s durability. For nine rounds, Walsh administered what could be best described as a gradual beating to Yeleussinov. By landing hard, thudding blows to the body and head, Walsh gradually broke Yeleussinov down  as Yeleussinov suffered significant damage to his face throughout the fight including a left eye that was nearly swollen shut. While the fight ultimately proved to be one-sided, what was impressive about Walsh’s performance was the poise he showed in not rushing in trying to get a stoppage and simply took things as they came in getting a ninth round stoppage to move to 10-0, with 8 Knockouts in his career. 


Although there was not much to say about this fight beyond the disciplined approach of Walsh and the mettle of Yeleussinov, by Walsh earning what was his second regional title in the WBC rankings after previously winning the WBC’s USA Silver title. While many overlook the accomplishment of winning regional titles in a career, the purpose those titles serve in an overall picture is it helps elevate a fighter into the world rankings. With this win, Walsh should be rated in the top fifteen in the Jr. Middleweight division. Despite only having ten professional fights it would appear that Walsh may indeed be on the fast track towards a potential shot at a world championship. Whether or not Walsh will be ready when that time comes, assuming he continues to win, it is important to keep in mind that not all fighters respective climbs up the rankings is not exactly the same and there are times where determining whether a fighter is ready will come down to a case by case basis rather than a set number of fights in a career. 


With his next fight tentatively scheduled for June, this observer believes if he can remain active and continue winning, Walsh could well be in position to fight for a world title sometime within the next year. When one also factors in that the Jr. Middleweight division is seemingly in the midst of a period of transition, there will likely be opportunities to move up the ladder of contention quicker because there will also likely be world championships that will have vacancies, and thus, it will allow contenders like Walsh the chance to maneuver to try and get in position to fight for a vacant world title. It may come down to who Walsh is put in with in his next two or three fights that may determine how soon he gets that chance.


“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”


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Friday, November 4, 2022

Walsh KO’s Parsley In 3

 Rising Jr. Middleweight prospect Callum Walsh scored a third round knockout of veteran Delen Parsley on Thursday night at the Quiet Canyon Country Club in Montebello, CA. Walsh landed a straight left hand that caused a delayed reaction on Parsley that sent him down on one knee in the first round. Parsley got up at nine and the fight continued. It would be more of the same in round two as Parsley would be knocked down for a second time with another straight left hand to the head from the southpaw stance. In round three, Walsh closed the show dropping Parsley for the third and final time. This time a straight left hand put Parsley down on his back on the canvas. The bout was immediately stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 2:26 of round three. Callum Walsh advances to 5-0, with 4 Knockouts. Delen Parsley falls to 13-2, with 4 Knockouts.

Also on this card:

Jr. Middleweight Serhii Bohachuk scored a second round knockout of Aaron Coley. A right hand, left hook to the head combination sent Coley down to one knee where he took the count and attempted to get up at ten. Official time was 1:54 of round two. Serhii Bohachuk advances to 21-1, with 21 Knockouts. Aaron Coley falls to 16-5-1, with 7 Knockouts. With the win, Bohachuk won the vacant WBC Continental America’s Jr. Middleweight championship, which should move him up the WBC Jr. Middleweight ratings.

A very competitive Jr. Bantamweight bout saw Daniel Barrera and Isaac Anguiano fight to a four round majority draw. What was a scrappy bout from the outset, Barrera generally initiated the combat while Anguiano landed effective counter punches and making things extremely difficult. At the conclusion of the four round bout, two of three official judges scored the bout 38-38, while the third official judge had Barrera winning 39-37, resulting in the majority draw. Daniel Barrera advances to 1-0-1, with 1 Knockout. Isaac Anguiano advance to 3-1-1, with 1 Knockout.

Unbeaten Featherweight prospect Omar Trinidad scored a second round stoppage of veteran Jose Garcia. The end came in the second round when a combination of hooks to the body by Trinidad followed by two left uppercuts to the head followed by a right uppercut and a follow up of hooks to the head forced a referee’s stoppage of the bout. Omar Trinidad advances to 10-0-1, with 8 Knockouts. Jose Garcia falls to 13-3-3, with 9 Knockouts.

In an entertaining back and forth battle Lightweights David Romero and Michael De La Cruz fought to a four round split decision draw. Romero seemed to have the quicker hands of the two early as he frequently threw punches in combinations. De La Cruz meanwhile, almost always answered back with offense of his own and landed some counter punches throughout. At the end of four rounds, two judges were split between the two fighters, each turning in a scorecard of 39-37, while the third judge arrived deadlocked at a 38-38 scorecard resulting in the split draw. David Romero advances to 2-0-1, with 1 Knockout. Michael De La Cruz advances to 1-1-2, with 0 Knockouts.

Women’s Jr. Bantamweight Gloria Munguilla began the evening by successfully making her pro debut in scoring a four round majority decision over the also debuting JoAnna Espinoza. Munguilla began the fight by bull rushing Espinoza and throwing constant punches. Although Espinoza was able to gradually find a rhythm and have some success in rounds two through four, Munguilla’s cleaner offense and harder landed punches proved to be the difference. Official scores were 38-38 (Even), and 39-37 (On two scorecards in favor of Gloria Munguilla. Gloria Munguilla advances to 1-0, with 0 Knockouts. JoAnna Espinoza falls to 0-1, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Callum Walsh has gradually turned into one of the prospects in the entire sport of Boxing that everyone should have on their respective radars. Although he only has five fights in his career, he is gradually stepping up the caliber of his opposition. Delen Parsley was on paper a fighter that was supposed to provide a test for the unbeaten prospect having thirteen professional bouts to his credit going into this bout and having never been stopped previously in his career. This fight followed Walsh’s last outing in August, where he was forced to go the distance for the first time.

 

While that fight against Benjamin Whitaker was a workmanlike performance, it likely served Walsh better in terms of his development as a fighter to have gone the distance. Having said this, one thing that fighters who are able to begin their careers with a string of knockouts seem to want to prove after being forced to go the distance in a fight, is that they still have the ability to end a fight quickly. Walsh certainly proved that with his knockout of a “Game,” but overmatched Delen Parsley.

 

As for what is next, Walsh could be back in the ring as soon as January of 2023 according to his promoter Tom Loeffler. Even though the building blocks are still very much being laid in the foundation of the career of Callum Walsh, if he continues to step up his level of opposition and continues to not only win, but produce the types of performances that he did against Delen Parsley, it is not necessarily hard to envision a scenario where Walsh could be on the verge of world title contention going into 2024 if not challenging for a world title by then. The development of a fighter is far from a perfect science both in terms of a fighter’s training and preparation going into a fight, but also the strategy of a fighter’s handlers in trying to move that fighter up the ladder of contention with the ultimate goal of fighting for a world championship.

 

Not every fighter’s journey is exactly the same and some fighters are able to advance up the ladder of contention quicker than others. While it is not known at this point whether Walsh will be one of these fighters who moves up at an expedited rate, assuming that there are no setbacks or anything else unforeseen that might delay things, if he continues to produce these types of performances, it will become increasingly harder to not put him in against a top contender or world champion if he continues to win.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Walsh Defeats Whitaker Via Unanimous Decision In Montebello, CA

 

Undefeated rising Jr. Middleweight prospect Callum Walsh was forced to go the distance for the first time in his career in scoring a dominant six round unanimous decision over veteran Benjamin Whitaker on Thursday night at Quiet Canyon Country Club in Montebello, CA. Walsh, who had scored all three of his previous victories in his career in the first round, appeared as though he was on the verge of making it 4 for 4 as he dropped Whitaker with a left hand to the head in round one. From this point in the fight on, Walsh was systematic in his approach winning every round with ring generalship and displaying a solid Boxing IQ. Although Whitaker was able to go the six round distance, at no point was he in a position to make Walsh uncomfortable in the bout. Walsh now looks to advance to eight round bouts in his next bout in October according to his promoter Tom Loeffler. Official scores were: 60-54 (On all three scorecards) in favor of Walsh. Callum Walsh advances to 4-0, with 3 Knockouts. Benjamin Whitaker falls to 15-9, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

In a clash of unbeaten Featherweights, Omar Trinidad scored a somewhat controversial stoppage of previously unbeaten Javier Padilla. The difference in punching power was apparent early as Trinidad’s heavier blows busted up Padilla up resulting in severe swelling over his right eye and a cut under it. Although it looked as though Padilla was on barrowed time as the referee went into his corner and advised him between rounds three and four that he was concerned due to the worsening condition of his right eye. In round four, Trinidad had Padilla on the ropes, but Padilla countered effectively off the ropes and seemed like he was mounting some offense when the fight was stopped without warning. It is unclear as of this writing as to whether the referee made the call to stop the fight or if it was Padilla’s corner or the ringside physician that stopped the bout. Official time of the stoppage was: 1:47 of round four. Omar Trinidad advances to 9-0-1, with 7 Knockouts. Javier Padilla falls to 7-1-1, with 5 Knockouts.

 

Middleweight Cem Kilic scored a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over Marco Delgado. Kilic’s accuracy and combination punching were ultimately the story of the fight. Although Delgado landed some good right hands throughout the fight and did succeed at points in making it a rough fight, Kilic was able to maintain the pace of the combat to earn the convincing unanimous decision victory. Official scores were: 80-72, (On two scorecards) and 79-73 in favor of Kilic. Cem Kilic advances to 17-1, with 11 Knockouts. Marco Delgado falls to 7-4, with 5 Knockouts.

 

 

Women’s Lightweight Chelsey Anderson pounded out an eight round unanimous decision over Aida Satybaldinova. A close bout due largely to the two minute round length in Women’s Boxing, Anderson’s cleaner, more effective punches was ultimately able to overcome Satybaldinova’s pressure throughout. Official scores were: 77-75, (On two scorecards) and 78-74 in favor of Anderson. Chelsey Anderson advances to 6-0, with 2 Knockouts. Aida Satybaldinova falls to 6-3-1, with 2 Knockouts.

 

 

In a clash of undefeated Middleweight prospects, Eric Priest scored a first round knockout of previously unbeaten Cory Conner. A fight that saw several exchanges of offense came to a sudden end in the closing seconds of round one when a flush right hook to the jaw sent Conner down for the count. Official time of the stoppage was 2:46 of round one. Eric Priest advances to 8-0, with 6 Knockouts. Cory Conner falls to 3-1, with 2 Knockouts.

 

Unbeaten Jr. Middleweight Jesus Gonzalez scored a narrow four round split decision over Eduardo Diaz. A competitive bout from the opening bell, Gonzalez scored a knockdown of Diaz in the second round, but Diaz was able to keep it close. In round four Gonzalez was deducted a point after two low blows. Despite the point deduction, Gonzalez was able to earn a split decision victory with two of three judges scoring the fight for him by a single point. Official scores were: 38-37, (Diaz) and 38-37 (On two scorecards) in favor of Gonzalez. Jesus Gonzalez advances to 5-0, with 2 Knockouts. Eduardo Diaz falls to 7-3, with 2 Knockouts.

 

Super-Middleweight Jordan Panthen began the evening by scoring a first round knockout in his professional debut over Arturo Perez. A short uppercut to the head followed by a left hook to the body put Perez down on one knee for the count. Official time of the stoppage was 1:16 of round one. Jordan Panthen advances to 1-0, with 1 Knockout. Arturo Perez falls to 2-2-1, with 1 Knockout.

 

While it is difficult to gage where a fighter is just four fights into their career, Callum Walsh’s victory over Benjamin Whitaker was a significant step forward in his progression. The reason for this is simply because he was able to go a full distance in a fight for the first time and in the process showed poise and the ability to control the fight from start to finish. Obviously, it goes without saying that a fighter having the ability to score quick statement-making knockouts will always get more attention particularly amongst a casual fanbase. Nevertheless, there is something to say about a fighter that is also able to show the ability to go the distance and be able to tactically control not only the tempo of the fight, but more specifically, his approach throughout.

 

Although it is also obvious that the competition level will increase as Walsh continues to progress in his career, a decision victory against a veteran like Benjamin Whitaker will do more for his development in the long-term than a quick knockout would have. Simply put, it is often these types of fights that a fighter’s handlers will use as an evaluation tool to determine exactly where their fighter is in their development and to then determine when and how they will step up the caliber of opposition. For now, Callum Walsh succeeded in what was clearly designed as a test to see where he is at this stage in his career. It was a test that he passed with flying colors and now the challenge for his team and promoter Tom Loeffler will be to determine who they will try to match him against next as he moves up to fights scheduled for eight rounds.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Walsh Closes The Show In 33 Seconds At St. Patrick’s Day Bash

 

Undefeated Jr. Middleweight Callum Walsh scored the second victory of his career in scoring a first round knockout of Gael Ibarra in the main event of promoter Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions’ St. Patrick’s Day Bash card on Thursday night at Quiet Cannon Country Club in Montebello, CA. Walsh only needed one straight left hand to the jaw that sent Ibarra down. Ibarra was very “Game” and got up on very unsteady legs and the bout was stopped at just :33 of the first round. Callum Walsh advances to 2-0, with 2 Knockouts. Gael Ibarra falls to 5-7, with 4 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Super-Middleweight Cem Kilic scored a second round knockout of Antonio Hernandez. Kilic dropped Hernandez in the closing seconds of the first round with a short right hand to the head. In round two, he stepped up the pressure with a body attack, this including stunning Hernandez with a left hook to the head. Ultimately, Hernandez went down from an accumulation of punishment in the closing seconds of round two. Although Hernandez was able to get up from the second knockdown, he showed no indication that he wanted to continue and the bout was promptly stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 2:51 of round two. Cem Kilic advances to 16-1, with 11 Knockouts. Antonio Hernandez falls to 6-13-2, with 4 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Jr. Lightweight Adrian Corona was held to a six round majority draw with veteran Joe Perez. A very tactical fight, neither fighter was really able to stand out clearly from the other as many of the rounds were closely fought, but at the conclusion of the bout, the result was a majority draw. 58-56 (Corona) and 57-57 (On two scorecards resulting in a majority draw. Adrian Corona advances to 9-0-1, with 2 Knockouts. Joe Perez advances to 15-6-3, with 10 Knockouts.

 

Light-Heavyweight Marco Deckmann scored a fourth round stoppage of veteran Victor Fonseca. Deckmann used a consistent attack to the body of Fonseca that did take a while to take effect, but gradually began to increase as the bout progressed. In the fourth round the body work had a visible effect on Fonseca causing him to catch his breath, a right hand to the ribcage caused Fonseca to take a knee in the latter stages of the fourth round. Fonseca signaled that he had, had enough and the bout was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 2:42 of round four. Marco Deckmann  advances to 8-1, with 7 Knockouts. Victor Fonseca falls to 18-11-1, with 14 Knockouts.

 

Rising Middleweight Eric Priest scored a quick first round knockout of David Lopez in just nineteen seconds. Priest immediately opened the fight with a barrage of punches that froze Lopez on the ropes and caused him to be stationary on the ropes. The end came when a combination as part of that barrage snapped Lopez head back and forced a stoppage of the fight. Eric Priest advances to 7-0, with 5 Knockouts. David Lopez falls to 5-3, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Unbeaten Featherweight Omar Trinidad began the evening by scoring a six round unanimous decision over veteran Ivan Varela. A very spirited and competitive bout from the outset, Varela overcame a bad cut over his right eye, which he suffered in the first round to give Trinidad his toughest test in what was his first six round bout. Varela’s best moments in the bout came when he was able to land periodic right hands to the head of Trinidad. As the bout progressed, Trinidad began to stalk and walk Varela down and was able to earn the convincing decision victory with a highlight being the body work he was able to do on the inside. Official scores were: 59-55 (On all three scorecards) in favor of Trinidad. Omar Trinidad advances to 7-0-1, with 5 Knockouts. Ivan Varela falls to 5-4, with 3 Knockouts.

 

This card, which was the first for Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions new broadcast agreement with digital combat sports streaming network UFC Fight Pass, showcased several rising prospects in the 360 Promotions stable. For Callum Walsh, who made his professional debut in December of last year in a fight that only lasted thirty-eight seconds, has now spent just over one minute in the ring as a professional. Although it is obviously early in the pro career of the twenty-one year old Walsh, it will be interesting to see if this fighter, who has shown a seek and destroy mentality in his first two bouts will be able to go a full round in his next bout, which is tentatively scheduled for May 5th on another 360 Promotions card. For now, Walsh has already succeeded in generating the type of buzz that is the goal of all prospects and their promoters. We will see if he can continue building that buzz as 2022 progresses.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison