Callum Walsh wins NABF Newcomer Award 

Uncork the champagne for the man from Cork, because “King” Callum Walsh from Cork, Ireland has won the North American Boxing Federation’s Newcomer Of The Year Award. 

Coached by International Boxing Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach, southpaw Callum who’s just twenty two and already won the WBC’s USA Silver Super-Welterweight Championship, is going places, blazing a trail, with an 8-0, 7 KO’s record. His next fight is on November 9^th at Madison Square Garden’s Helu Theater. 

He was on hand along with Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions, to gratefully accept this stellar Award and the Bond of Friendship, at the NABF’s Annual Convention, which is this year at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, Florida. 

The man himself said: “This is the first award that I’ve got over here in America, so it feels so very good. It’s always going to be the one I remember and cherish, because I got it so early into my career. I want to do big things in the sport, and I’m happy that people are seeing that.”

In his most recent victory over experienced Juan Jose Velasco, who stayed on his stool after four scintillating rounds, Tom gave Callum a ten out of ten for performance but significantly, Callum only awarded himself a five, saying he’s forever seeking perfection. He commented: “I feel I’m a lot better than what I showed and I’m always trying to improve. I’m working with Freddie, I’m learning new stuff every day and I don’t think that I’ll ever have a ten performance, as I can always improve upon something.”

So what’s it like to be twenty two and to have the whole wide world in front of you?

“I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it, but not to let it get away from me, as I still have to work hard and I’ve got some way to go. But being twenty two and in the middle of it is a great feeling. This is just the beginning. I’m only just getting started. 

“I can go all the way and I really believe that. It’s what I want and I’ve dedicated everything to it.”

Tom Loeffler said: “I really think this is going to be the first of many awards that Callum wins. He’s really excited at all the opportunities coming up for him. He’s young, brash, confident and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to the top of the Sport of Boxing.

“My understanding is that the majority of the recipients of this award have gone on to win world titles, so we are so excited about this and it’s one more step towards his future stardom. 

“First and foremost, Callum has the drive and ambition to be the best. He sacrifices a lot and he’s training very hard. He didn’t start from ground zero, as he already has the amateur experience. As a pro he’s on a very accelerated pace. Also, a very key component of that, is being trained by Freddie Roach. Callum hit the ground running at the Wild Card Gym. He’s had world class sparring on a daily basis, and there’s a great chemistry with Freddie. That’s why the type of success that Callum’s achieving is happening.

“Callum has all of the intangibles. Not just the boxing, but the charisma, the character, the confidence and having the large Irish fanbase behind him. He’s on the way to achieving some truly great success.”

Tom also said it’s essential for sensible and practical Callum to keep his feet firmly on the ground: “I’ve seen so many athletes that realize the mistakes they made when they were young and wish when they were older…in their thirties, they can go back and correct those mistakes. 

“Freddie Roach has had forty two world champions. We would love Callum to be the forty third. He’s around very experienced and wise people who try to give him some guidance to stay grounded. 

“Callum’s already achieved a lot, but there’s so much more, so he needs to stay focused for a short period of his life and then all the doors will be open for him in the Sport of Boxing. 

“Callum listens when we give him advice, he has a high ring IQ, coupled with the punching power that he exudes. He gets the leverage out of a tall frame as a super welterweight and he has to make sure he also takes care of his business outside of the ring. Definitely, on the promotional side, he’s got that down as well. 

“The world is Callum’s oyster, where he has so many opportunities available to him.”