Callum Johnson


Callum Johnson is a British professional boxer who challenged once for the IBF light-heavyweight title in 2018. At regional level, he held the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 and the British light-heavyweight title in 2018. As an amateur, he won a gold medal whilst representing Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Amateur career

Callum began boxing at a local club in his home town of Boston from an early age but moved to train at Terry Allen Unique ABC in Lincoln by the time he was sixteen. He fought 40 times in international contests. In total Johnson boxed on 120 occasions as an amateur winning 95.
Despite being English and living in Lincolnshire, Johnson boxed for Scotland for six years qualifying by way of his Grandmother who came from Springburn in Glasgow. For the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi he was made the captain of the Scottish boxing squad.

Commonwealth Games

Johnson was part of the Scotland team to compete at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. Picked at the 81kg Light heavyweight category Johnson fought his way to the final beating the likes of Krystian Borucki of the Isle of Man in his first bout, defeating British number one Obed Mbwakongo representing England 6-2 in the quarter finals and stopping Jermaine Asare of Wales in the semi's. In the final he claimed the gold medal with an 8-1 win over Northern Ireland's Thomas McCarthy.
Speaking of his win Johnson said that he needed to keep his concentration following the attempts of his teammate Steve Simmons trying to play the Flower of Scotland on a Vuvuzela during the last 3 minutes of the fight. He said "I could hear Stevie, and, to be honest, in the last round I nearly started singing it myself...It was in my head - I was singing it in my head in the last 30 seconds. But you've got to keep focused, because it only takes one shot in this game."

Professional career

Early career

After the Commonwealth Games Johnson made the decision to turn professional signing with promoter Frank Warren and being managed by former world champion Prince Naseem Hamed. Speaking of signing professional forms Johnson said "It's fantastic to turn professional under Frank Warren who is the man to guide me to achieve my dream, to become world champion."
The decision to join Warren's stable of boxers meant that Johnson joined the likes of other former Commonwealth Games gold medalists to have turned pro with Warren including Scotsman Alex Arthur who won gold in 1998 and Stephen Smith, Jamie Cox and Don Broadhurst all of whom won gold in 2006.
Speaking of his decision to go into boxing management Naseem Hamed claimed that boxing had become "downtrodden" Johnson would add a bit of "sparkle" to the sport saying "Callum Johnson is going to be the guy to put that in. He is going to be the best breath of fresh air boxing can have." He added "I think his first ten fights will be ten knockouts and he'll be world champion within three years."
On 4 December 2010, Johnson made his professional debut at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow boxing on the undercard of Ricky Burns world title defence against Andreas Evenson. The fight against Phillip Townley was stopped in the second round, handing Townley his first stoppage defeat and a first win for Johnson.
Speaking of the nature of the victory, Naseem Hamed said "This guy's got dynamite in his hands...I just feel that he is so explosive, so chilling. He throws his punches so correctly. That is one of the reasons I got involved with Callum Johnson."
His second fight took place on 14 March 2011, in which he faced Jody Meikle. The fight went on to the final stage and was won by points. This marked his second victory in 2 professional fights, keeping his record as a 100% win.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
19Win18–1 Sean MonaghanTKO3, 0:239 Mar 2019 Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
18Loss17–1 Artur BeterbievKO4, 2:366 Oct 2018 Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, USFor IBF light-heavyweight title
17Win17–0 Frank BuglioniTKO1, 1:3124 Mar 2018 The O2 Arena, London, EnglandRetained Commonwealth light-heavyweight title;
Won British light-heavyweight title
16Win16–0 Willbeforce ShihepoKO9, 2:0724 Sep 2016 Manchester Arena, Manchester, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight title
15Win15–0 Norbert SzekeresTKO1, 2:3218 Jun 2016 EventCity, Manchester, England
14Win14–0 Richard HortonTKO1, 1:187 May 2016 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
13Win13–0 Tsvetozar IlievPTS426 Jun 2015 Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
12Win12–0 Jose Manuel IglesiasKO1, 1:1711 Apr 2015 First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
11Win11–0 Bartlomiej GrafkaTKO2, 1:597 Mar 2015 Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham, England
10Win10–0 Josef ObesloTKO1, 3:007 Nov 2014 North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln, England
9Win9–0 Luke AllonTKO3, 1:394 Oct 2014 First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
8Win8–0 Nathan KingPTS427 Jun 2014 Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
7Win7–0 Egidijus KakstysTKO2, 2:1017 May 2014 North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln, England
6Win6–0 John AnthonyDQ7, 2:1631 May 2013 Town Hall, Walsall, EnglandAnthony disqualified for persistent holding
5Win5–0 James TuckerTKO7, 1:1818 May 2012 Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
4Win4–0 Tommy TolanKO1, 1:3010 Mar 2012 Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
3Win3–0 Lee DuncanPTS416 Jul 2011 Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
2Win2–0 Jody MeiklePTS412 Mar 2011 Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
1Win1–0 Phillip TownleyTKO2, 1:344 Dec 2010 Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland