Callum Walton might have his sights set on titles, but for now his focus is on putting in the hard yards.
The undefeated Ferryhill fighter has made a “seamless” transition from amateur to professional and looks to take his record to 4-0 when he takes on Italian-born Londoner Victor Edagha in Houghton on Saturday, March 16.
Walton has impressed in his three wins to date, stopping Zdenko Bule on his debut almost exactly a year ago in Newcastle, before outpointing Patryk Polasik in Seaton Carew and the slippery Tom Ramsden at the Rainton Arena, where he faces Edagha this Saturday.
“The ultimate goal is the British title,” Callum told punch-lines. “If I can win that I’ll be happy with my professional boxing career – anything after that would be a bonus.
“Short-term I want to get the rounds in and improve and get to box over longer distances, so when I do step it up for a title then I know I’ve got the rounds in the bank.
“I’ve got six again here after doing six in my last fight. I won every round against an unbeaten lad and gave nothing away and that’s the plan here.”
One thing you would say about the ex-Brandon Boxing Club star is that he is always worth watching – there is always entertainment.
“I try!” smiled the 28-year-old.
“I don’t go looking for a knock-out but on my debut it just happened.
“The last two fights I’ve had have been good opponents.
“The lad I beat at Seaton I think has gone on to give trickier fights to boxers at higher weights. It was a good learning fight.”
Punch-lines spoke with Walton at a Jobes Boxing media event at the state-of-the-art Everlast gym inside the Metro Centre.
“It’s a very good set up,” he said.
“It might be a small-hall show but stuff like this shows how Jobes are looking to push the promotion and improve the production.
“As a fighter on these shows you can’t ask for any more. I’m not signed to Jobes, but they are giving a bit of extra exposure which is great.”
Walton, who has recently been out in Canada with the BBC squad, has taken to professional boxing so smoothly.
“I’m enjoying life as a pro, but I’m taking it seriously as you’ve got to do,” he said.
“It’s been seamless, I think my style was probably more suited to the pros anyway. I was really dedicated as an amateur, I think I did it properly all the time.
“Training-wise I’ve stuck with my club gym, I’ve turned pro with my amateur coaches – they are just as on it as I am and I’ve had massive help from One Empire Management.
“I wouldn’t be able to do this as well as I am without them.”
It’s a big show at the Rainton Aena, where the Northern Area lightweight championship confrontation between Nathan Forrest and Kai Richmond is the headline attraction.
Tommy Ward and Jeff Saunders also make ring returns after long absences on the Jobes Boxing promotion.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
