Boxing
Can Callum Walsh emulate Conor McGregor to light up Las Vegas undercard?
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Rising Irish star and UFC-backed fighter Callum Walsh will return to the ring for the third time this year on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford this weekend in Las Vegas.
Walsh has made an impressive start to his career, racing to 14-0 (11) since his debut in 2021, and his likeable demeanour paired with charisma and talent has been likened to another Irish legend, Conor McGregor.
Whether these claims have credence remains to be seen, but here is a look at who Callum Walsh is, how he got here, and if he can really make a splash worthy of the comparisons to ‘The Notorious’.
Who is Callum Walsh?
Walsh was born in Cork, Ireland and has been boxing since he was six years old. In a glittering amateur career, he managed to become a six-time Irish national champion and picked up a European gold medal in 2017 before turning over in 2021.
Walsh plys his trade at the Wild Card gym under the watchful eye of the world-famous trainer of Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach.
He has made a perfect start as a professional, catching the attention of UFC president Dana White, who has been promoting Walsh through the UFC social media channels and showing his fights on UFC Fight Pass.
White has had his eyes on an official entry to boxing for some time, and in a way, his backing of the Irishman was one of his first steps into the sport.
Walsh has returned White’s investment with interest, putting on impressive performances, including a four-fight knockout streak, before a technical decision in his last fight against Elias Espadas.
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How did he and Dana White become friends?
Walsh’s promoter, Thomas Loeffler of 360 Promotions, said that he and White had a mutual friend which allowed him to introduce him to his most promising young star.
Loeffler told Yahoo Sports: “I had a mutual friend who made the introduction with Dana, and we stayed in touch through the pandemic.
"Dana goes way back with Freddie Roach through their Boston days. I told Dana that we signed this promising Irish fighter, Callum Walsh, and he’s training with Freddie.”
This was the beginning of a close and fruitful alliance for Loeffler, Walsh and White, who said that he was immediately taken by Walsh and his attitude.
White said: “He’s a great kid and has a really fun fighting style. On a personal level, I liked the kid as soon as I was introduced to him [by Loeffler].
“I pride myself in delivering competitive fights [in the UFC] and the great thing about him is that he’s always willing to take on those tough fights that the fans really want to see.”
The McGregor comparisons
Following Dana White and the UFC’s global success in discovering Conor McGregor, which shot the whole organisation into a different stratosphere, it comes as no surprise that White could not resist the temptation of fostering another potential Irish superstar.
Loeffler claims that White sees some similarities between McGregor and Walsh.
He told Boxing Scene: “He sees shades of Conor McGregor, of that hilarity and charisma, in Callum, and we're just taking advantage of that platform and of him being promoted on both sides.”
While Walsh is flattered by the comparisons to someone like McGregor, he says that he is not trying to be the ‘McGregor of boxing’ and wants to forge his own legacy. That kind of attitude will only push the comparisons further, as a maverick in his own right.
Walsh explained to TMZ Sports: “I’m very grateful to be able to do this at such a young age I’m trying to make my own path and do my own thing — I’m never trying to copy anybody or be like anyone.
“Everyone always says, ‘Oh you wanna be like the Conor McGregor of boxing’. I’m just trying to be Callum Walsh. I’m just trying to do my own thing, try make my own path. Leave my own legacy.”
Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Who is Walsh fighting next?
Walsh will make his first appearance under the new Zuffa Boxing banner this weekend against the undefeated Fernando Vargas, 17-0 (15), another highly touted prospect, proving the Irishman’s attitude towards taking the toughest and most fan-friendly fights.
This is Walsh’s opportunity to announce himself to the world on one of the biggest fight cards of the year and begin to forge the legacy he talks so much about.
With the backing of Dana White, if Walsh emerges victorious, much bigger opportunities will be on the horizon and aged only 24, he has plenty of time to fill the gargantuan shoes left behind by McGregor.
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