Callum Johnson inspired Callum Smith heroics in WBSS final
Johnson ready to ‘shock the world’
Brit ace inspired by gym-mates’ Groves win ahead of Beterbiev clash
(Chicago – October 2) Callum Johnson is targeting a ‘Callum win double’ and follow gym-mate Callum Smith’s World title win with his own stellar triumph at the elite level when he challenges IBF World Light-Heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday night (October 6) live on DAZN.
Johnson’s fellow Joe Gallagher-trained banger Smith knocked out George Groves in Saudi Arabia to win the World Boxing Super Series and bag the WBA Super, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine Super-Middleweight crowns.
Boston banger Johnson (17-0 12 KOs) knows he has to put in the performance of his career against Russian wrecking machine Beterbiev (12-0 12KOs), but after returning to action with a stunning first round KO of Frank Buglioni in his last outing in London in March – and the 33 year old predicts a violent showdown with the champion on Saturday, and another memorable night for Gallagher’s gym.
“Callum's win has just inspired me even more to win here,” said Johnson. “It was a stunning performance and he's the number one in the division now, and that's what I want to become at Light-Heavyweight.
“I've dreamt of moments like this since i was a kid. No one else wants to fight him but I can't wait to get in there with him. I'm living the dream and I genuinely believe I will shock the world.
“I know about him, if I wasn’t confident I wouldn't be here. We were amateurs around the same time but we never came across each other to fight, but I would have done then and now we are fighting and it's on a massive stage for a World title so it’s even better.
“He is a strong, powerful beast and he's a very good fighter, it’s a tough ask, but it’s a challenge that I am up for and I'm full of belief.
“We're not going to have to look for each other. He likes to KO people and so do I. We'll meet in the middle of the ring and let the bombs go. There will be thought involved and we can both box, but we both want to take people out with bog shots, so it's going to be exciting
“I shocked people [against Buglioni] and I don't really know why. People had forgotten about me, out of sight, out of mind, but I showed them what I am capable of against Frank. I’ve been written off again and maybe rightly so, but I can KO any Light-Heavyweight in the world, and he's no exception.
“People said 'he's never boxed anyone as good as Frank Buglioni' – no disrespect to Frank, but I could name 20 fighters I've boxed that are better than Frank. Yes, it was in the amateurs with headguards, but just because people hadn't seen me do it in the amateurs, doesn't mean that I couldn't. There’s still a lot more to see from me, my best has not come out in the pros.”
Johnson’s battle with Beterbiev is part of a massive night of action in Chicago, topped by the WBC Silver Welterweight title clash between Jessie Vargas and Thomas Dulorme.
Daniel Roman defends his WBA Super-Bantamweight crown against another Brit, second time World title challenger Gavin McDonnell, Brooklyn’s brash Heavyweight star Jarrell Miller meets Polish legend Tomasz Adamek and local favorite Jessica McCaskill can make history as Chicago’s first women’s World champion when she challenges Erica Farias for the Argentine’s WBC World Super-Lightweight title.
Three debutants grace the bill as Team USA talents Reshat Mati, Nikita Ababiy and Nkosi Solomon lace them up for the first time.
Along with these World stars and promising youngsters, Chicago fight fans will be able to back two of their own on the night, with unbeaten Bantamweight prospect Shawn Simpson joining McCaskill on the card.
Tickets for October 6 are on sale now priced $40, $60, $100 and $200 and are available from:
Online at Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07005506EDA47F37