By: Miguel Maravilla
Undefeated Irish super welterweight King Callum Walsh (14-0, 11 KO’s) is ready for the big stage as gets set to take on the undefeated son of the legend, Fernando Vargas Jr. (17-0, 15 KO’s) of Las Vegas. Walsh will square off against Vargas on Saturday September 13 as the co-feature on the Canelo Crawford taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas live on Netflix.
“I’m looking forward to this fight. Vargas is solid fighter, and I know he will come to fight. I think Ireland vs. Mexico is always a good matchup for boxing. It will be a great matchup for the fans,” Callum Walsh told FightNews.com
From debuting at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California, to headlining in Boston, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, to his homecoming fight in Dublin, Ireland. Walsh is ready to showcase on one of the biggest stages in Las Vegas on the Canelo Crawford card in an NFL Stadium.
“This is a massive opportunity for me to show my skills to the world. When it was announced that we were going to be the co-main event. That was a massive boost, a massive opportunity for me on Netflix on one of the biggest cards and fights in boxing history,” Walsh on fighting on the Canelo Crawford undercard.
The Pride of Cork, Ireland, Walsh is coming off a lackluster fifth-round technical decision over Elias Espadas. In a fight where Walsh sustained cut above his eye from a headbutt, Walsh got the victory in a subpar performance heading into the mega card.
“There were some concerns after the fight that the doctor wasn’t going to let me fight due to a cut. Overtime, I was confident in this massive opportunity. There is nothing to make me miss this fight, I could have lost a leg, and I still would have taken this fight,” Walsh explained.
With preparation underway, Walsh is on the grind in camp in Southern California at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California training under the guidance of Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach.
“It’s been a good camp. I’m coming off, back-to-back camps so I’m feeling good and ready. Preparation is good. I haven’t stopped training. I’m feeling better than ever fit and ready to go,” Walsh on his training camp. “I take every fight the same and never take anyone lightly and train hard for every fighter. I’m getting more one on one with the coaches and Freddie at Wild Card. Not exactly the Pacquiao treatment but I’m getting there, I’m getting close,” Walsh added.
There is no question that this will be the biggest fight of Walsh’s career as someone’s O, has got to go.
“It’s a make-or-break fight and at the end of the day, I’m a better fighter. I have so much experience and fought all over the world. I have fought every style you can imagine and I’m coming off a massive amateur career. Moving over to Freddie Roach, learning from him and all the sparring at the gym,” Walsh explained.
Walsh is excited taking on the son of the legend, Fernando Vargas Jr. Undefeated in 17 fights, Vargas is coming off a fourth-round knockout over Gonzalo Coria back in May. Having the pedigree, Vargas is used to the big stage as he was always ringside and part of his father’s entourage.
“I think he has skills, he has what every fighter has, a punchers chance, some good speed. I know the level I’m at. To be honest he has basic skills. I think he’s OK,” Walsh on Vargas. “I don’t think he’s cut out like his father. I do question his determination and how bad he wants it. I know I want it a lot more than him. I’ve come up harder than him, I didn’t have a father with a big name to get me into boxing. He is doing it (boxing) because of his big name, and he likes to be online to be this and that because of his name. I have made my own name, and it will show in the ring,”
A win over Vargas gets Walsh closer to the door.
“A win here will put my name out there. It will show that I’m the real deal, a good name on my record. I beat Fernando Vargas Jr. I beat a name. Now I would like a bigger name and keep continuing to fight names to make myself a big name in the division. I want to be known as someone that fought the best,” Walsh said.
Rated fourth by the IBF, and fifth by the WBC in the 154-pound division, Walsh is set to take on all comers. WBC champion Sebastian Fundora, or WBC interim champion Vergil Ortiz, IBF champion Bakhram Murtazaliev, hold the throne in the division as Walsh covets a shot.
“After Fernando, I want to keep climbing the ranks and fight great fights,” Walsh said.
Some interesting matchups for Walsh also include 360 Promotions stablemate Serhii Bohachuk who will also be on the card taking on Brandon Adams in their rematch. England’s Josh Kelly and Bakary Samake of France would be intriguing before a shot at the title.
“I always feel I’m ready for anything. I know the level I’m at and I think I’m ready for anything. It depends on what my team wants, my promoter Tom and Dana have planned for me, but they know I’m ready for anyone,” Walsh stated.
With about three weeks to go, Walsh hopes to make a statement on one of boxing’s biggest nights.
“I show up to fight, for the fans to enjoy. Especially with this fight on Netflix, I want to make sure they continue to be fans after watching me fight,” Walsh said. “I’m looking forward to it and want to make sure I put on entertaining fight for everybody,” Walsh concluded.
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