Callum Johnson

Last updated

Callum Johnson
Born
Callum Paul Johnson

20 August 1985 (1985-08-20) (age 38)
Boston, Lincolnshire, England
NationalityBritish
Other namesThe One
Statistics
Weight(s) Light-heavyweight
Height5 ft 11+12 in (182 cm)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights22
Wins21
Wins by KO15
Losses1
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2010 Delhi Light heavyweight
Commonwealth Championships
Silver medal icon (S initial).svg 2010 Delhi Light [1] heavyweight

Callum Paul Johnson [2] (born 20 August 1985) is a former British professional boxer who challenged once for the IBF light-heavyweight title in 2018. At regional level, he held the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 and the British light-heavyweight title in 2018. As an amateur, he won a gold medal whilst representing Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Contents

Amateur career

Callum began boxing at a local club in his home town of Boston from an early age but moved to train at Terry Allen Unique ABC in Lincoln by the time he was sixteen. He fought 40 times in international contests. [3] In total Johnson boxed on 120 occasions as an amateur winning 95. [4]

Despite being English and living in Lincolnshire, Johnson boxed for Scotland for six years qualifying by way of his Grandmother who came from Springburn in Glasgow. For the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi he was made the captain of the Scottish boxing squad. [5]

Commonwealth Games

Johnson was part of the Scotland team to compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Picked at the 81kg Light heavyweight category Johnson fought his way to the final beating the likes of Krystian Borucki of the Isle of Man in his first bout, defeating British number one Obed Mbwakongo representing England 6–2 in the quarter-finals [6] and stopping Jermaine Asare of Wales in the semi's. In the final he claimed the gold medal with an 8–1 win over Northern Ireland's Thomas McCarthy.[ citation needed ]

Speaking of his win Johnson said that he needed to keep his concentration following the attempts of his teammate Steve Simmons trying to play the Flower of Scotland on a Vuvuzela during the last 3 minutes of the fight. He said "I could hear Stevie, and, to be honest, in the last round I nearly started singing it myself...It was in my head - I was singing it in my head in the last 30 seconds. But you've got to keep focused, because it only takes one shot in this game." [7]

Professional career

Early career

After the Commonwealth Games Johnson made the decision to turn professional signing with promoter Frank Warren and being managed by former world champion Prince Naseem Hamed. [8] Speaking of signing professional forms Johnson said "It's fantastic to turn professional under Frank Warren who is the man to guide me to achieve my dream, to become world champion." [8]

The decision to join Warren's stable of boxers meant that Johnson joined the likes of other former Commonwealth Games gold medalists to have turned pro with Warren including Scotsman Alex Arthur who won gold in 1998 and Stephen Smith, Jamie Cox and Don Broadhurst all of whom won gold in 2006. [8]

Speaking of his decision to go into boxing management Naseem Hamed claimed that boxing had become "downtrodden" Johnson would add a bit of "sparkle" to the sport saying "Callum Johnson is going to be the guy to put that in. He is going to be the best breath of fresh air boxing can have." He added "I think his first ten fights will be ten knockouts and he'll be world champion within three years." [9]

Johnson vs. Townley

On 4 December 2010, Johnson made his professional debut at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow boxing on the undercard of Ricky Burns world title defence against Andreas Evenson. The fight against Phillip Townley was stopped in the second round, handing Townley his first stoppage defeat and a first win for Johnson. [10]

Speaking of the nature of the victory, Naseem Hamed said "This guy's got dynamite in his hands...I just feel that he is so explosive, so chilling. He throws his punches so correctly. That is one of the reasons I got involved with Callum Johnson." [10]

Johnson vs. Meikle

His second fight took place on 14 March 2011, in which he faced Jody Meikle. The fight went on to the final stage and was won by points (40-35 to Callum). This marked his second victory in 2 professional fights, keeping his record as a 100% win. [11]

Johnson vs. Beterbiev

On 6 October 2018 Johnson challenged Artur Beterbiev for his IBF world light heavyweight title. Johnson, an underdog in the fight, managed to drop Beterbiev in the second round with a left hook. Beterbiev, however, recovered quickly and dropped Johnson in the fourth round with a big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight. [12]

Johnson vs. Monaghan

In his next bout, Johnson fought Sean Monaghan, who was ranked #13 by the WBC at light heavyweight. Johnson won the fight in the third round via TKO. [13]

Johnson vs. Markic

In his following bout, Johnson fought and defeated WBO #15 Emil Markic with a second round TKO. [14]

Johnson Vs. Sharp

Johnson had come out of retirement for one last fight, This last fight he fought 8-130-1 boxer Daryl Sharp, Johnson won by KO in the 1st round making one of the most spectacular comebacks in British boxing history

Professional boxing record

21 fights20 wins1 loss
By knockout141
By decision50
By disqualification10
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes9 dec 2023
21Win20–1 Flag of Russia.svg Server EmurlaevMD109 Oct 2021 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, EnglandRetained WBO Global light-heavyweight title
20Win19–1 Flag of Croatia.svg Emil MarkicTKO2 (10), 2:3724 Apr 2021 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg York Hall, London, EnglandWon vacant WBO Global light-heavyweight title
19Win18–1 Flag of the United States.svg Sean Monaghan TKO3 (10), 0:239 Mar 2019 Flag of the United States.svg Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
18Loss17–1 Flag of Russia.svg Artur Beterbiev KO4 (12), 2:366 Oct 2018 Flag of the United States.svg Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, USFor IBF light-heavyweight title
17Win17–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Buglioni TKO1 (12), 1:3124 Mar 2018 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg The O2 Arena, London, EnglandRetained Commonwealth light-heavyweight title;
Won British light-heavyweight title
16Win16–0 Flag of Namibia.svg Willbeforce Shihepo KO9 (12), 2:0724 Sep 2016 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight title
15Win15–0 Flag of Hungary.svg Norbert SzekeresTKO1 (6), 2:3218 Jun 2016 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg EventCity, Manchester, England
14Win14–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Richard HortonTKO1 (6), 1:187 May 2016 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
13Win13–0 Flag of Bulgaria.svg Tsvetozar IlievPTS426 Jun 2015 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
12Win12–0 Flag of Spain.svg Jose Manuel IglesiasKO1 (6), 1:1711 Apr 2015 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
11Win11–0 Flag of Poland.svg Bartlomiej GrafkaTKO2 (8), 1:597 Mar 2015 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham, England
10Win10–0 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Josef ObesloTKO1 (6), 3:007 Nov 2014 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln, England
9Win9–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Luke AllonTKO3 (6), 1:394 Oct 2014 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
8Win8–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Nathan KingPTS427 Jun 2014 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
7Win7–0 Flag of Lithuania.svg Egidijus KakstysTKO2 (4), 2:1017 May 2014 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln, England
6Win6–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John AnthonyDQ7 (8), 2:1631 May 2013 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Town Hall, Walsall, EnglandAnthony disqualified for persistent holding
5Win5–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg James TuckerTKO7 (8), 1:1818 May 2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
4Win4–0 Flag of Ireland.svg Tommy TolanKO1 (4), 1:3010 Mar 2012 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
3Win3–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lee DuncanPTS416 Jul 2011 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
2Win2–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jody MeiklePTS412 Mar 2011 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
1Win1–0 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phillip TownleyTKO2 (4), 1:344 Dec 2010 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland

Personal life

Callum has two sons, Corbon-Rize and Clay-Jonno.

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References

  1. "6th Commonwealth Championships". Amateur Boxing. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  2. Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1984–2004. Gives name at birth as "Callum Paul Johnson".
  3. "This is Lincolnshire | Callum keeps his feet on the ground despite turning professional". Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  4. This is Lincolnshire | Hamed back protege Johnson to rule boxing world
  5. "The Herald | Scotlands commonwealth boxing captain hopes to celebrate medal glory". Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  6. This is Lincoln | Callum Johnson ensures bronze and sets his sights on Olympic games spot
  7. The Scotsman | Euphoria nearly got the better of Callum Johnson
  8. 1 2 3 Boxing Scene | Callum Johnson Commonwealth champion inks with Warren
  9. The Scotsman | Prince Naseem tips Johnson to breathe new life into the sport
  10. 1 2 BBC Sport | Naseem Hamed praises 'chilling' Johnson debut
  11. "BoxRec: Bout". boxrec.com. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  12. "Artur Beterbiev survives knockdown, scores fourth-round KO of Callum Johnson to retain title". The Ring. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  13. "Johnson vs Monaghan - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  14. "Johnson vs Markic - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Bob Ajisafe
Commonwealth
light-heavyweight champion

24 September 2016 – present
Incumbent
Preceded by British light-heavyweight champion
24 March 2018 – present