WITH less than 20 seconds to go in the opening round Callum Walsh ended the hopes of his 13th opponent with an effortless right hand. If Dean Sutherland had absorbed the shot another was coming his way but the Scot was down and definitely could not continue.
Last night, on the eve of St Patrick’s Day Irish fans inside the Madison Square Garden Theatre cheered the Cork-born super welterweight’s win and ensured they could celebrate today with a smile on their face. Walsh, who works with Tom Loeffler and Dana White while trained by Freddie Roach, is undoubtedly a star in the making but where does the 24-year-old go from here?
In the world rankings Walsh, 13-0 (11 KOs), is currently ranked sixth with the IBF and WBC, respectively. This year we hope to see Walsh in tougher assignments where the level of competition is stepped up. Boxing News presents five fighters that would certainly ask questions of Walsh and his potential.
CAOIMHIN AGYARKO 15-0 (7 KOs)
Earlier this Agyarko told BN that there had been conversations between his and Walsh’s management teams over a potential fight.
“My manager was in talks with his manager and his manager just basically said that’s a fight for down the line. I don’t turn fights down. You present me with a fight, as long as it makes sense money-wise and career-wise, I’ll accept it. My manager, text me saying, would you fight Callum Walsh? I said yes, no problem at all.”
Cork vs Belfast, Walsh vs Agyarko – two unbeaten Irish 154lb fighters with world title aspirations. It makes perfect sense.
MICHEL SORO 36-4-2 (25 KOs)
The French-based Ivorian has established himself as a formidable figure at super welterweight over the years. After 17 years as a pro and now 37 years old Soro maybe isn’t the force he once was but Walsh may find him an extremely tough nut to crack.
Soro’s chin and physicality are two of his standout attributes but his defeats to world class operators like Brian Castano and Israil Madrimov act as a benchmark for Walsh to try and better.
At 154lbs Soro is as tough a gatekeeper as you could find for those on the way up.
MAGOMED KURBANOV 26-1 (14 KOs)
Kurbanov was outclassed by Israil Madrimov in their vacant WBA super welterweight title fight but remains a top 15 fighter (the WBA ranked him fifth in their rankings.) The ‘Black Lion’ would certainly be an acid test at this stage of Walsh’s career.
The Russian has three good wins on his record; Liam Smith, Patrick Teixeira and Michel Soro. However, Kurbanov can think himself fortunate to have got the judges’ decision against Smith and particularly Soro.
Walsh may expose Kurbanov’s lack of speed and this could be the type of world-rated opponent who is made for the Irishman. The biggest difficulty may be getting Kurbanov to leave Russia!
JAMES METCALF 26-2 (15 KOs)
The 36-year-old Liverpudlian lost out in a thriller against Ted Cheeseman four years ago for the British title but in May 2023 notched up a career-best triumph beating Dennis Hogan in Dublin to win the 154lbs IBO strap.
Inactivity, however, has affected Metcalf’s career with just one fight – a six round win in December – since that night in the Irish capital.
‘Kid Shamrock’, a nod to his Irish ancestry on dad Shea Neary’s side, may jump at the chance to face someone with the reputation like Walsh. His own aggressive style and experience against tough opposition could play into Walsh’s hands but it would certainly be a fun fight.
JOSH KELLY 16-1-1 (8 KOs)
Kelly’s team may scoff at the idea of facing Walsh.
But when are we going to see the former British champion fight next? Just like many others inactivity has blighted Kelly’s career but he looked to have found momentum with new promoters Wasserman. Last year, however, he fought just once beating Liam Smith’s replacement Ishmael Davis at Wembley Stadium on the Dubois-Joshua undercard.
The Sunderland fighter is in the top five with the WBO and IBF, therefore in a valuable position. But for all of Kelly’s potential his career is yet to hit the heights we were led to believe it would. Kelly would surely relish the chance at ending the hype around Walsh and with the IBF’s top two slots vacant Kelly (4) v Walsh (6) could be made as a world title eliminator.
