Matt McCallum believes his challenge for the Northern Area championship will be his day of destiny.
The Newcastle 31-year-old takes on Barrow’s Mike McGoldrick for the vacant super-middleweight belt at Bolton on Friday July 1 on a show which will be screened on Fightzone.
It’s a classic battle between experienced Cumbrian gunslinger Mike and the younger unbeaten sharp-shooter looking to break onto the scene in only his fifth professional contest.
“It might sound corny or a cliché, but I truly believe this is my time,” said the Jobes Boxing star.
“I firmly believe this title is mine to lose.
“McGoldrick is a fighter and he’ll want this as much as me, but does he have the same heart, the same chin, the same engine as me?
“If he does then massive respect to him and we’ll see on the night.
“I’m the away fighter and I’ll be looking to go in there, dictate the pace, put it on him and let him know who’s the boss.”
Of course, McGoldrick is likely to have other ideas.
His record is very respectable – eight wins, including two early, with just the one defeat on his log, a second-round stoppage by Zak Chelli in the final of the BOXXER tournament in November 2020.
That is no disgrace, given the calibre of the Fulham prospect and the fact that he had just overcome Harry Woods in a real tear-up in the semis.
“I’ve watched Mike in the BOXXER,” said Matt, who sparred with Chelli last month.
“He came through a war with Harry Woods, that was a great performance.
“But Chelli was just far too good in the final and probably would have been even if McGoldrick hadn’t had those hard three rounds in the semi-final.
“I sparred with Zak five weeks ago which has given me a lot of confidence.
“Zak is a really nice guy and it was great experience for me.
“To know that I’ve been in with him, albeit in sparring, gives me the belief that I’m prepared for this.”
McGoldrick, at 37, is the senior man, though give he’s only had nine bouts you could not say he was a ‘shot’ fighter.
He has home advantage too.
While Barrow-in-Furness to Bolton is not around the corner – it is the best part of 100 miles – Mike has clocked up five wins at the Reebok Stadium.
But the fact that the “King of the North’ is on the road for this one has only served to motivate him even more.
“I’m going to rip the belt away from him,” predicted McCallum.
“And I’m looking forward to doing it on their show.
“I feel fantastic, have a great team around me and can’t wait for Friday night.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
