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 crimson carpet is being rolled out for the fast-rising southpaw from Cork, Eire, as Walsh (11-0, 9 KOs) might be combating 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 almost 5,000 followers. The occasion will stream on UFC Battle Cross at 6:30 p.m. IST / 12:30 p.m. EST / 9:30 a.m. PST.
After twice headlining exhibits at New York’s Madison Sq. Backyard Theater, in addition to in Boston and throughout Southern California, Walsh is returning to his roots seeking to make a official declare as the subsequent 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 about to modify 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 combating actually robust guys already at six fights [into his career]. He’s prepared to take robust 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 fitness center through which Walsh labored on perfecting his craft as an novice en path to 120 fights, six nationwide titles, and a European gold medal.
“It’s an excellent and thrilling feeling to be placing on a large present,” Walsh instructed The Ring in an interview. “It’s time to go large whereas going residence. It’s going to be an enormous 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 struggle in opposition to a tricky opponent. I can’t wait to see what Runowski brings and the way badly he desires 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 educated by Corridor of Fame coach Freddie Roach on the Wild Card Boxing fitness center. He’s additionally been an everyday fixture at UFC occasions and even received some main TV time earlier this yr 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 bettering day by day and 100% imagine in my skills,” mentioned Walsh. “I’m studying from Freddie Roach, the most effective within the enterprise.”
Walsh has loved world-class sparring since transferring stateside beneath 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 date this yr, 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 yr when he survived some tough patches however proved he had a dependable chin in opposition to the rugged Ismael Villarreal to attain a unanimous determination.
“I imagine I’m prepared proper now for a world title shot, but it surely’s as much as my workforce 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 greatest efficiency to this point.
“He’s studying on the job,” Loeffler instructed The Ring in an interview. “The extent of competitors he’s combating could be very excessive. Freddie doesn’t need to child him. There’s a effective steadiness with a younger fighter studying with each struggle and overmatching him. It is a robust 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 yr.”
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 worldwide 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 incorporates a commentary crew of Raul Marquez, Brian Campbell, and Corey Erdman and ring announcer Joe Martinez.
“It’s going to be the best stage of manufacturing for any 360 Promotions present we’ve achieved,” mentioned Loeffler. “Dana brings plenty of publicity and a spotlight with him. There may be plenty of pleasure for this present, particularly since solely high-level fights are held on the 3Arena. Katie Taylor fought there final yr, and we really feel Callum is correct there to comply with in these footsteps and be the next-generation Irish boxing star.”
Loeffler’s supreme objective is to showcase Walsh yearly 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 Prime 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 might be an awesome struggle for me to make an announcement,” added Walsh.
Walsh is presently ranked No. 8 by the IBF and No. 10 by the WBC at 154 kilos, and the division is loaded with high expertise for Walsh to struggle and additional make a reputation for himself.
However first, he should run by 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 at all times searching for the knockout in each single struggle. I’m not making an attempt to be in there all evening. I feel I’m the most effective fighter on this planet. They only don’t realize it but. If you happen to don’t suppose you’re the greatest, what are you even combating for?”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports activities, USA As we speak, The Guardian, Newsweek, Males’s Well being, NFL.com, Los Angeles Occasions, 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 will be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, by e mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or by way of www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
