IN DEPTH WITH CALLUM JOHNSON
Unbeaten light-heavyweight ace Callum Johnson aims to take his record to 4-0 at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena a week on Saturday on Ricky Burns’ undercard.
The Boston banger, who won Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games for Scotland, features in a six-round contest.
Two-time-two weight world champion Burns headlines the show with the first defence of his WBO World Lightweight title against Paulus Moses, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546).
Name: Callum Johnson
Weight: Light-heavyweight
Born: Boston, Lincolnshire
Age: 26
Family background: I’m the eldest of three. I’ve two younger sisters. I’ve a little boy of my own, Corbon, who’s three. I still live at home in Boston though I’ve a flat I rent in Bolton, just round the corner from the Khan gym where I train.
Trade: I used to do a bit on the market and I’d ‘break’ dogs for a while but now I’m a full-time pro.
Nickname: ‘The One’
What age did you become interested in boxing and why? Me Dad and me uncle used to box so, since I knew how to walk, I’ve been throwing punches at ‘em. I first went the gym at 10, had my first amateur fight at 12 but was in and out and only started taking it seriously when I was 15.
What do you recall of your amateur career? From the age of 10-16, I was at the Boston ABC trained by me Dad and his mate Brian. As I got more into it, I travelled 80 miles round trip to the Terry Allen Unique gym in Lincoln where I was coached by Carl Fox. Finally, once I started representing Scotland, I was registered with the Newarthill ABC in Motherwell.
I had roughly 120 amateur bouts and won about 95. I got to four national junior finals (two junior ABA, two boys clubs), winning the NABCs once. As a senior, James DeGale beat me on points in the English semis but I won two senior Scottish ABA titles and five or six gold medals in a Scotland vest including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
The Scotland thing came about because my nan on my mum’s side was born and bred in Springburn, Glasgow. Despite beating the top English boys, I felt I was getting overlooked so when Scotland offered me another route, I jumped at the chance. Am I English or Scottish? British!
I’d estimate about 40 of my amateur bouts were internationals. Probably the biggest name I boxed was Nikita Ivanov, a Russian who won silver at the last Europeans. He was probably the best kid I’ve faced but I beat him in the final of the Grand Prix tournament in the Czech Republic. I also beat Washington Silva, a two time Olympian from Brazil, (2010 Commonwealth champion) Eamonn O’Kane, Simon Vallily, Obed Mbwakongo and (ex British light-middle king) Sam Webb.
It was frustrating being overlooked at times but, looking back, I’m pleased at what I achieved. In the end I proved myself and ended up British number one. No regrets.
Why did you decide to turn pro when you did? After winning a big tournament (The Commonwealths) my stock was high and I was offered a decent contract by Frank (Warren) which I decided to take. I might have cracked on with the amateurs if I was younger but I was 25. Age was a big factor.
Tell us about your back up team: Initially I was advised by Naseem Hamed for my first two fights but now Frank looks after me. I’m coached by Joe Gallagher at ‘The Gloves’ gym in Bolton. He had a good reputation before we met and I wanted to learn new things so I got in contact. I was very impressed from our first session. Joe’s an excellent pad man and has such enthusiasm, knowledge and dedication. I still do bits with my Dad back in Boston.
Kerry Kayes once kindly gave me an hour of his time regarding nutrition and Genetic Supplements help me out.
What’s your training schedule? Which parts do you most and least enjoy? Depending on Joe Gallagher’s schedule, I usually train in Bolton four days a week, and the rest in Boston. In Bolton I train in the day, run at night. In Boston, I do the opposite.
At Joe’s, I’m at the gym from 11 till half one. I warm up with a 15 minute skip, then move on to shadow boxing, the bar-bag, a circuit then close with strength and conditioning work. Joe mixes everything up well so you really don’t know what you’re getting. He’s always experimenting with new stuff which keeps us on our toes.
We’ve a really good squad of top lads. There’s the Smith brothers (Paul, Stephen and Liam), Scott Quigg, Scott Cardle, John and Joe Murray, Hosea Burton, Anthony Crolla, Michael Jennings. We have a good laugh but always get a graft on.
About seven in the evening, I’ll have a six mile run, except on Tuesdays and Thursdays when we all stay on after training and do our track sessions. Scott Quigg’s the quickest, I’ll not embarrass the slowest but it’s not me!
I most enjoy my rest day! Seriously, Joe’s very good on the pads but I get most out of sparring with guys like Paul Smith, Macklin and Hosea. I least enjoy running after a hard days graft at the gym but it’s a sacrifice you have to make.
Describe your style? What are your best qualities? I can mix up the boxing and the fighting. I’ve plans A, B and C. I do nothing brilliant but everything decent. I’ve a sharp jab and left hook. I’m an allrounder.
What specifically do you need to work on to fully optimise your potential as a fighter? I definitely need to stay busier. I only had two fights in 2011. I need to fight regularly so I can build the rounds up and people can see the best of me. Another five or six fights and I’ll be up there.
What have you found to be the biggest difference between the pro and amateur codes? The extra rounds. Anyone can fight for three but 8, 10, 12 is something different entirely. The most I’ve done in one hit is eight, in sparring. The best pros maintain the same pace as the amateurs but just conserve better. Guys like Anthony Crolla and Matt Macklin throw over 1,000 punches in a 12 round fight.
Who is the best opponent that you’ve shared a ring with? Carl Froch in a spar. Very sharp and powerful but also awkward and deceiving. It was a proper spar, no punch pulling, which is what you need. He bashed me up!
All time favourite fighter: Ricky Hatton, my hero. Growing up, he was ‘The Man’.
All time favourite fight: The one I buzzed off most was Hatton beating Kostya Tszyu who was one of the best pound for pound at the time.
Which current match would you most like to see made? Mayweather-Pacquiao, like everyone else, just to set the record straight. I think Mayweather beats him comfortably.
What is your routine on fight day? I’m up around 9 o’clock and have whatever I fancy for breakfast. I’m not one for superstitions or rituals and I stay pretty chilled, try to have a crack. I don’t get overly nervous. I’ll try to have a kip between three and five in the afternoon, then off to the arena. I’m not a great one for psyching myself up. If you’ve done the training and stay focussed, you should be okay.
Entrance music: ‘The One and Only’ by Chesney Hawkes. It fits my nickname!
What are your ambitions as a boxer? By the end of 2012, I’d like to be looking at domestic level belts, English, Scottish, Celtic, whatever’s available. Then make the big step in 2013 to the British. Every fighter’s ultimate goal is a world title.
How do you relax? I take my boy to the park, occasionally have a kickabout, play a bit of snooker and poker.
Football team: Man United
Read: Boxing News. The only book I’ve read was Frank Maloney’s autobiography which I enjoyed.
Music: My playlist ranges from Eminem to gospel to Westlife. Very mixed up!
Films/TV: Films, I’m pretty versatile. I watch loads of boxing and footy on tele plus Celebrity Juice.
Aspiration in life: To be able to look back, knowing I did well and that I left my son with something to be proud about of his dad.
Motto: Train hard, fight harder!
Burns v Moses is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 456/Virgin Ch. 546). Join at www.boxnation.tv
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