Callum Walsh, Tom Loeffler and Przemyslaw Runowski pose in entrance of the 3Arena in Dublin, Eire. (Picture by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“King” Callum Walsh’s homecoming struggle is able to obtain the royal therapy.
The pink carpet is being rolled out for the fast-rising southpaw from Cork, Eire, as Walsh (11-0, 9 KOs) might be preventing on residence soil for the primary time as a professional in opposition to Przemyslaw Runowski (22-2-1, 6 KOs) on Friday in a 10-round junior middleweight struggle on the famed 3Arena in Dublin in entrance of an anticipated crowd of practically 5,000 followers. The occasion will stream on UFC Struggle Cross at 6:30 p.m. IST / 12:30 p.m. EST / 9:30 a.m. PST.
After twice headlining reveals at New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard Theater, in addition to in Boston and throughout Southern California, Walsh is returning to his roots trying to make a reliable declare as the following face of Irish boxing.
UFC president and CEO Dana White has lengthy backed Walsh’s profession in tandem with 360 Promotions head Tom Loeffler, and the MMA govt is ready to change Walsh’s momentum into second gear by selling the cardboard this week. When White introduced the occasion on social media final month, Irish icon Conor McGregor referred to as it a “nice struggle for Eire.”
Callum Walsh has a really influential fan in UFC czar Dana White. Picture by Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
“I really like Callum Walsh,” White instructed The Ring in an interview. “I really like his fashion. I really like the truth that this child was preventing actually powerful guys already at six fights [into his career]. He’s prepared to take powerful fights, and I simply favored the child personally, as quickly as I used to be launched to him. Selling him is enjoyable for me, and I’m having enjoyable doing it.”
Earlier this week, Walsh held a meet and greet with nice fanfare on the Riverstown Boxing Membership in Port Laoise, the health club by which Walsh labored on perfecting his craft as an beginner en path to 120 fights, six nationwide titles, and a European gold medal.
“It’s an excellent and thrilling feeling to be placing on an enormous present,” Walsh instructed The Ring in an interview. “It’s time to go massive whereas going residence. It’s going to be a giant evening for everyone. I’ve grown up and may’t wait to indicate how a lot I’ve improved. I’m wanting ahead to placing on a very good struggle in opposition to a troublesome opponent. I can’t wait to see what Runowski brings and the way badly he needs to win. I can’t lose at residence.”
Walsh, 23, final fought on residence turf in 2019 and made his professional debut in 2021. These days, Walsh lives in Hollywood, California, and is skilled by Corridor of Fame coach Freddie Roach on the Wild Card Boxing health club. He’s additionally been a daily fixture at UFC occasions and even received some main TV time earlier this 12 months throughout a WWE occasion as he constructed his profile.
Corridor-of-fame coach Freddie Roach gloves up his newest pupil, Irish up-and-comer Callum Walsh. (Picture: 360 Promotions)
“I’m nonetheless enhancing every single day and one hundred pc imagine in my talents,” mentioned Walsh. “I’m studying from Freddie Roach, one of the best within the enterprise.”
Walsh has loved world-class sparring since transferring stateside underneath Roach’s roof in opposition to the likes of Vergil Ortiz Jr., Serhii Bohachuk, Eimantas Stanionis, Elvis Rodriguez, and Gabriel Rosado, amongst many others.
It’s paid off.
To this point this 12 months, Walsh has scored two stoppage wins, one in opposition to Dauren Yeleussinov in March and the opposite versus Carlos Cervantes in June to set himself up for Runowski. The pair of wins got here simpler than his MSG debut final 12 months when he survived some tough patches however proved he had a dependable chin in opposition to the rugged Ismael Villarreal to attain a unanimous resolution.
“I imagine I’m prepared proper now for a world title shot, however it’s as much as my crew after they suppose so whereas they construct me up,” mentioned Walsh. “I by no means flip down an opponent. I simply should beat whoever they put in entrance of me, climb up the ranks, and I’ll be proper there.”
Loeffler mentioned Walsh’s most up-to-date three-knockdown, second-round knockout win in opposition to Cervantes was his finest efficiency to this point.
“He’s studying on the job,” Loeffler instructed The Ring in an interview. “The extent of competitors he’s preventing may be very excessive. Freddie doesn’t wish to child him. There’s a fantastic steadiness with a younger fighter studying with each struggle and overmatching him. It is a powerful struggle in opposition to Runowski, who’s an skilled opponent. I feel Callum might be able to problem for a world title after 15 fights inside a 12 months.”
Loeffler compares Walsh’s ascent and fanfare to the one he noticed with Gennadiy Golovkin, the previous middleweight king he helped construct from an Japanese European unknown into a world star.
“The reception Callum has been getting feels just like the early Triple G days,” mentioned Loeffler. “We’re anticipating a significant response this week whereas we proceed constructing his worldwide model.”
Abel Sanchez, Gennady Golovkin and Tom Loeffler pose with GGG’s middleweight titles prior the showdown with Daniel Jacobs in New York Metropolis. Picture by Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos/K2 Promotions
Walsh credit Loeffler and White for the breakthrough alternative he’s been afforded. White’s confidence in Walsh is additional proven by making the abroad journey instantly coming off the crescendo that was UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday.
“This wouldn’t be taking place if it wasn’t for Dana White,” mentioned Walsh. “Who higher to have in your nook than him? It’s loopy to even give it some thought that I’m working with Dana and he’s supporting my profession. Him coming to Eire with me goes to be the beginning of one thing good.”
Pegged to spoil the plan is Runowski, who has solely misplaced to identified commodities like Josh Kelly in 2019 and Michael McKinson in 2021. The 30-year-old, 11-year skilled from Poland is unbeaten in his final 4 fights and is coming off a third-round stoppage win in Might in opposition to journeyman Benjamin Lamptey.
Loeffler mentioned the occasion may have a high-quality, UFC-like manufacturing that includes a commentary crew of Raul Marquez, Brian Campbell, and Corey Erdman and ring announcer Joe Martinez.
“It’s going to be the very best degree of manufacturing for any 360 Promotions present we’ve finished,” mentioned Loeffler. “Dana brings a whole lot of publicity and a focus with him. There’s a whole lot of pleasure for this present, particularly since solely high-level fights are held on the 3Arena. Katie Taylor fought there final 12 months, and we really feel Callum is correct there to observe in these footsteps and be the next-generation Irish boxing star.”
Loeffler’s excellent objective is to showcase Walsh annually in Eire transferring ahead, and he’s already angling to stage a match in opposition to Xander Zayas for an Eire vs. Puerto Rico showdown on the Madison Sq. Backyard.
“We’ve already talked a couple of Walsh vs. Zayas struggle with High Rank, and I can see it occur,” mentioned Loeffler.
Puerto Rican up=and-comer Xander Zayas has packed Madison Sqaure Backyard’s Theater, simply as Walsh has, which has helped beat the drums for his or her eventual showdown. Picture by Patrick Corley
“That will be an excellent struggle for me to make an announcement,” added Walsh.
Walsh is at present ranked No. 8 by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBC at 154 kilos, and the division is loaded with prime expertise for Walsh to struggle and additional make a reputation for himself.
However first, he should run by means of Runowski.
Walsh is promising an announcement win befitting for the spectacle.
“I’m wanting ahead to giving an eye-opening efficiency,” mentioned Walsh. “I’m all the time in search of the knockout in each single struggle. I’m not making an attempt to be in there all evening. I feel I’m one of the best fighter on the planet. They simply don’t understand it but. When you don’t suppose you’re the finest, what are you even preventing for?”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports activities, USA At the moment, The Guardian, Newsweek, Males’s Well being, NFL.com, Los Angeles Instances, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Journal, and extra. He’s been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He might be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, by means of e-mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or through www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
