LAS VEGAS — Tremendous middleweight boxer Callum Walsh was a close to ever-present via Worldwide Combat Week — a fight sports activities pageant the UFC organized final week.
Although 360 Promotions boss Tom Loeffler represents Walsh, UFC president Dana White has lengthy taken a shine to the 23-year-old who cross-trains MMA whereas competing in boxing.
“Callum Walsh has been a enjoyable challenge for me,” White informed World Boxing Information and different reporters after UFC 303 had completed Saturday at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
Born in Cork, Walsh has lived and skilled in Los Angeles lately and is an everyday fixture on the Wildcard Boxing Membership in Hollywood. “Freddie Roach actually believes in him,” White informed us.
Walsh has a burgeoning professional boxing report of 11 wins (9 KOs) and stays unbeaten. To date this yr, he’s defeated Dauren Yeleussinov and Carlos Ortiz, and White has seen each of his fights.
It’s unclear, as of but, when Walsh will return to the ring, but it surely’s possible he’ll quickly compete in Eire.
“We’re going to do a battle with him in Eire. We’re going to do a giant battle [for a title] — I don’t know what the title is,” stated White.
He continued: “Tom Loeffler is his promoter. I’m doing this for enjoyable as a result of I like the child, and I like boxing. I’m having enjoyable serving to him construct a profession.”
One potential battle in Walsh’s future might headline the massive room at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis.
Loeffler informed World Boxing Information final yr about how he’s received his eye on Xander Zayas, because it might doubtlessly be the subsequent installment within the scorching Puerto Rican vs Eire rivalry within the metropolis.
World Boxing Information has even spoken to High Rank officers, who all appeared enthusiastic about making the battle a actuality when the time is true.
But it surely begs the query as as to whether White would work with High Rank, contemplating the animosity that seems to exist between himself and the corporate founder, Bob Arum.
“Are you able to think about attempting to work with Bob Arum? You recognize what I imply?” White stated.
Arum has, prior to now, referred to the game of MMA as “trash.” Nonetheless, it seems White’s frustrations along with his promotional rival are more moderen, as he stated White needs to be “ashamed” for attempting to convey dwell sports activities again so early within the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent shuttering of leagues and fights.
“Have a look at all of the s*** this man stated, even via Covid. ‘Dana White is a man with flawed intelligence.’ You’re an actual genius, buddy.
“You principally had him and Don King, who ran the game for all these years, and what did he do? The place’s he at now? What’s his firm price? Yeah, me and Bob most likely wouldn’t work collectively,” he completed, with a wry smile.
Although his last feedback appeared to close down the chance, he did inform us earlier in his rant that, although he wouldn’t need to work with Arum, he “might attempt to determine it out” if “it was good for Callum.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing Information Lead Author, a 2 x Sports activities Journalist of the 12 months finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Observe Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
