Three fights into his professional career and up to eight rounds already.
And Calum French is ready for it as he takes on Spain’s Gadatamen Taylor on the big Matchroom event in Cardiff, where Welsh star Joe Cordina aims rotate the IBF world super-featherweight title from Japan’s Kenichi Ogawa.
For French this is an exciting development but given his excellent amateur credentials, he is more than up to the task.
Clearly, promoter Eddie Hearn is ambitious and confident in equal measures with the Gateshead southpaw, who is relishing his night at the Motorpoint Arena.
“It’s a step up to eight rounds,” said Calum, whose first two pro bouts had been set for six. “I’m prepared for it, I’m ready.
“I prepare for every fight like it’s a world title fight just to make sure that I’m the best Calum French that gets in the ring on the night.
“I do it to get myself in the right habits and rituals, so when it’s my time to headline a show like Joe is doing, up in my hometown in Newcastle I’m going to be in the right frame of mind for it.”
French has been boxing at light-welter though he explained that his championship aspirations will be at his old GB mark of lightweight.
“I boxed at 135lb in the amateurs and then because that weight was taken out of the Olympic system, I was forced to move up to 140,” he said.
“Coming into the pros we’re going to bring it back down to 135 and campaign there, and shoot for titles later this year and early next year.”
French told punch-lines this week how he was enjoying “a new lease of life” as a professional.
He is enjoying being back at work too with his old Birtley coach, Graeme Rutherford, who also trains unbeaten welterweight prospect Cyrus Pattinson and another recent pro, Ben Rees.
French says he is feeding off the great energy in the Birtley HQ.
“It’s great being back working with Graeme,” said the 26-year-old. “I’ve boxed for him since I was 12/13 and he gets the best out of me – he always knows what to say.
“The whole gym is buzzing which is great – me, Cyrus and Ben are in there and it’s like the old days.
“Birtley have just had three brilliant wins in the England Seniors and there’s a real buzz and energy in the place.”
It will be an all-southpaw battle in Cardiff with Taylor, whose record is a fair one of four wins and a draw from 14 appearances and arrives in Wales on the back of two wins.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom Boxing
