![](https://wbcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/Callum_Walsh.jpg)
From Cork near the mighty windswept foaming Atlantic, to sun dappled Wild Card for young Callum Walsh, who dropped into the World Boxing Council Offices in LA for a chat with our very own Pepe Sulaiman.
Callum who`s still only twenty-one, is fresh faced, personable, honest and straightforward, with a keen sense of self depreciating Celtic humour. You just can`t help warming to him and liking this young man. In the tradition of the Fighting Irish, he`s been boxing since he was six, he worked on fishing boats seven days a week to earn the money to buy a “Banger” to drive himself to training. But when the pandemic hit, took a ferocious throat hold grip and most of the gyms in Ireland closed their doors, Callum decided to chance his arm, broadened his horizon, crossed “The Pond.” and came to train with Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym, putting: “All his eggs into one basket, and then watching that basket like a hawk!”
Sharp as a tack and as bright as a button, Callum had to choose between education and boxing. Almost invariably when exams loomed instead of swotting, he was swatting in amateur championships. So, no education on paper. Yet his textbook preparation plus homework has culminated in one hundred and twenty amateur fights, winning a Gold in the European championships, six national championships and he qualified for the World Championships, but had the misfortune to fracture a hand. Nevertheless, he`s never taken a standing count or been knocked down to the canvass. A rock-solid chin, a hard head, a hard case, but also a wily southpaw approach and a long seventy-two inches reach, to compliment his six-foot frame. A marvellous welter and super welter prospect.
Months of training in Wild Card, patiently and diligently learning his trade before turning pro, sparring anyone and everyone who`ll get into the ring with him. Callum has an astute boxing brain. He can box or fight, saying: “I`ve sacrificed everything for boxing. I don`t have a plan B , so I`m giving it my all! Hopefully it works out. I`m here to win, I`m confident in myself and my ability. I`m never afraid when I get into the ring.”
As a fledgling pro, Callum has won all four of his fights with three KO`s saying: “I love it at the Wild Card. Me and Freddie get on very well. It`s always fun. There`s never a bad day. He tells me what to do as he`s the Boss. I listen to him and he likes that. I put in the work, and it will pay off. I`m ready for anything. I`ve worked so hard for this and I can`t let anything get in my way. People love the Fighting Irish and being a proud Irishman obviously helps. Everyone who comes in this door spars with Cal. This is my job and this is what I`m here for.”
As another Freddie sang in Show Must Go On: “Whatever happens, I`ll leave it all to chance.” But as another saying goes: “Chance may be a fine thing!” So… destiny needs one almighty shove. This talented and ambitious young Irishman won`t be found wanting in that department, or any other. He has both the push and the drive to go all the way!
For more on this tale of Emerald promise and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” watch, prick up your ears and enjoy the refreshing candour by: “Having a gander.”
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