Chasing a place in the record books while probably bringing down the curtain on his boxing career.
Meet Matt McCallum who is ultra-motivated for victory this weekend in Newcastle, where he takes on Adam Hepple for the vacant Northern Area light-heavyweight title.
McCallum v Hepple is the headline attraction at Jobes Boxing’s ‘Titles on the Tyne’ spectacular at the Vertu Motors Arena, or Eagles Arena if you so wish.
Northern Area title contests rarely disappoint and this promises to be something special.
And doing something special McCallum believes will inspire him to victory over the 32-year-old, from Seaham.
Matt is aiming to make history by becoming a THREE-WEIGHT Northern Area champion.
Winning in two different divisions is hard enough. First he lifted the super-middleweight belt in the summer of 2022 by stopping Cumbria’s Mike McGoldrick and then outpointed Newton Aycliffe’s Billy Wade at middleweight.That victory meant he joined Paul Charters (North Shields) and Eddie Haley (South Shields) as two-weight winners.
“It would be out of this world to be a three-weight champion,” McCallum told punch-lines.
“When I first got into pro boxing and made my debut in 2020 just to box for the Northern Area title was a dream for me.
“To win two titles at two different weight has been amazing, but a historic third would be phenomenal.
“It’s legacy stuff that, my name would stand forever in the history books.”
McCallum is “excited” to be fighting his old rival, having emerged from one of the shortest-retirements ever.
The Jobes Boxing star waved farewell last year, but was quickly tempted back.
“When I decided to retire meant it,” he said. “I didn’t really want to say anything or want any fuss.
“I really thought I was done with boxing, but I stayed in the gym and stayed fit.
“I knew in the back of my mind that my licence was still valid and if there was one fight which would make me hungry to box again it was this one.
“My licence runs out on Sunday the 19th so I may as well get my money’s worth.”
If this is to be his swansong he wants it to me a memorable one.
He admits it is a tough assignment against a man who ended his reign as super-middleweight champion in July 2023 with a second-round stoppage at Rainton Arena.
“Adam is a big, dangerous guy,” said the Morpeth southpaw.
“He’s a good fighter and strong so I know I’m going to have to use all my skills and all I’ve learned and put it together here.
“No-one wants to lose to someone they’ve already lost to and I’m looking to avenge that defeat.
“Yes, Adam is a danger man but I believe I’m capable of beating him.
“I don’t think he’ll be complacent because he stopped me last time – he knows he’s in for a proper fight.”
Since they clashed at the Houghton venue, both boxers have not been shy to tackle big tests on the road.
Hepple lost in away 10-rounders to Reece Farnhill, Brad Rea and Zak Chelli while McCallum was beaten in close points calls against Jordan Reynolds and River Wilson-Bent.
Matt also gave unbeaten super-middleweight prospect Niall Brown a fight when they met in Newcastle last year on the Channel 5 show.
“Me and Adam have gone on to box at a higher level,” said the 35-year-old from Northumberland.
“We’ve lost but the whole crowd knew I’d won against River-Bent and Reynolds but never got the decisions.
“Niall Brown will go on to big things. That was a close enough fight but I have to say Niall was better in every area.
“Adam is not a Niall Brown and I’m really excited about getting in there on Saturday.
“Me and Adam have a bit of history and a good rivalry.
“It’s a really interesting fight and I feel 100 per cent ready.”
McCallum v Hepple is part of the bumper ‘Titles on the Tyne’ bonanza, with Joe Miller, Cyrus Pattinson and Hannah Robinson all in action in contests for Commonwealth belts.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jason Corbett/ Mindenwood Photography
