Callum Johnson vs Beterbiev confirmed for IBF title

[TheLeprechaun]

Good stuff from Johnson.

Tough fight, it all hinders on whether he can get Beterbievs respect.

[KiwiRider]

Tough alright!
He got Frank's respect, after he came to I actually thought there might be a rematch. It only lasted about a minute!
But this is a whole other level. I think Beterbiev moves to well to be caught out early.
Much respect to Callum for taking this one

[mickey1975]

He’s been thrown to the wolves here.

[mickeyb]

Pretty disgraceful to fight for a world title without clearing out the domestic scene.

[/irony]

[mickeyb]

Oh, and in all seriousness, good luck to Callum but, like the other Mickey said, I can't help but feel like he's being fed to Beterbiev too soon.

[KiwiRider]

Pretty disgraceful to fight for a world title without clearing out the domestic scene.

[/irony]

I think Yarde is going that way, Euro and Inter continental without any BBoBC straps other than a southern area. At least Johnson took the belt off Frank who had a pretty firm grasp on it after 4 defenses. So Callum did beat the guy who beat 3 other guys for the British title. In this day and age, that's pretty decent. Who knows if he will make a defence and get it for keepsies
It's early days and no one has called him out that I know of.

[Black Sam Bellamy]

Will believe it when I see it

[Omerta]

Surely he should be given a euro level fighter and then a world level gate keeper fight by the end of this year before they put him in with someone like beterbiev ??

[keithmoonhangover]

Callum is as ready as he's going to be. Fair play to him for taking it.

[KiwiRider]

Surely he should be given a euro level fighter and then a world level gate keeper fight by the end of this year before they put him in with someone like beterbiev ??

You would think so. But then he came off a long absence and took the British title. No warm up or anything. The guy is focussed!
I would like to see this fight locked in somewhere before I get too excited.

[handsofstone]

Big step up for Johnson but if anyones seen Beterbiev more than once they'll realise that apart from murderous power, he aint all that, ive seen guys at British level with better fundimentals

I will admit though that power is some equaliser,

[keirw]

Very tough fight, I rate Johnson, but I don't fancy his chances here.

But I can kind of understand why they would do this.

Yarde is the only really interesting fight in the UK at the minute and he isn't interested, so why not look abroad?

From what i gather Beterbiev has been struggling to find opponents, so they are probably willing to pay Johnson well.

And who knows? If he wins he would be in the big time in one of the best divisions in boxing.
If he loses, he will be applauded for his effort and given the chance to rebuild at domestic level.

[mickeyb]

Pretty disgraceful to fight for a world title without clearing out the domestic scene.

[/irony]

I think Yarde is going that way, Euro and Inter continental without any BBoBC straps other than a southern area. At least Johnson took the belt off Frank who had a pretty firm grasp on it after 4 defenses. So Callum did beat the guy who beat 3 other guys for the British title. In this day and age, that's pretty decent. Who knows if he will make a defence and get it for keepsies
It's early days and no one has called him out that I know of.

My point is that Johnson and Yarde are levels above guys like Buglioni and Burton, and yet people go on like Yarde beating good European fighters means he's terrified of these guys. Yeah, I'd like to see fighters go through the BBBoC levels, but that hasn't happened in forever. Remember all those good light middles we had in the late 90s?

Johnson/Yarde looks like a very tasty fight. Hopefully that happens, although Johnson being iced by Beterbiev probably wouldn't help. A surprise Johnson win though?

Both those guys smash the Burtons and Buglionis of the world to bits IMO. The only difference is that Yarde has serious backing, and is being shoved down our throats, so people have decided to have a moan about him.

[jamamb]

Pretty disgraceful to fight for a world title without clearing out the domestic scene.

[/irony]

I think Yarde is going that way, Euro and Inter continental without any BBoBC straps other than a southern area. At least Johnson took the belt off Frank who had a pretty firm grasp on it after 4 defenses. So Callum did beat the guy who beat 3 other guys for the British title. In this day and age, that's pretty decent. Who knows if he will make a defence and get it for keepsies
It's early days and no one has called him out that I know of.

buglioni had defended the belt twice going into the johnson fight. his wins in brit title fights were a come from behind vs burton, a tough decision over ricky summers, and a decision over pretty much untest late replacement craig richards

[jamamb]

Pretty disgraceful to fight for a world title without clearing out the domestic scene.

[/irony]

I think Yarde is going that way, Euro and Inter continental without any BBoBC straps other than a southern area. At least Johnson took the belt off Frank who had a pretty firm grasp on it after 4 defenses. So Callum did beat the guy who beat 3 other guys for the British title. In this day and age, that's pretty decent. Who knows if he will make a defence and get it for keepsies
It's early days and no one has called him out that I know of.

My point is that Johnson and Yarde are levels above guys like Buglioni and Burton, and yet people go on like Yarde beating good European fighters means he's terrified of these guys. Yeah, I'd like to see fighters go through the BBBoC levels, but that hasn't happened in forever. Remember all those good light middles we had in the late 90s?

Johnson/Yarde looks like a very tasty fight. Hopefully that happens, although Johnson being iced by Beterbiev probably wouldn't help. A surprise Johnson win though?

Both those guys smash the Burtons and Buglionis of the world to bits IMO. The only difference is that Yarde has serious backing, and is being shoved down our throats, so people have decided to have a moan about him.

i know laughable that ppl were on about yarde ducking and needing to fight guys like that. burton for example never beat anyone better then maybe fringe english level miles shinkwin, yet yardes scared of him lol? and did you see his last fight, struggling and getting bloodied to some decision vs a journeyman? lol now imagine what ppl would say if yarde had struggled like that vs a crap opponent

really, a guy like burtons no more proven then say tony averlant and hasnt beaten anyone i would favour over him. this obsession with having to fight local guys is strange

[spudder56]

Don’t see what the issue is with Johnson taking the fight coz after all he’s getting on a bit and I’m sure the money will be good I just don’t understand people on here it doesn’t matter what fight a boxer takes people moan about opponents either not being good enough or too good massive respect to Callum Johnson for taking the fight and let’s all hope he wins coz he’s certainly capable of winning

[jamamb]

any word on where itd be?

[TheLeprechaun]

Pretty disgraceful to fight for a world title without clearing out the domestic scene.

[/irony]

I think Yarde is going that way, Euro and Inter continental without any BBoBC straps other than a southern area. At least Johnson took the belt off Frank who had a pretty firm grasp on it after 4 defenses. So Callum did beat the guy who beat 3 other guys for the British title. In this day and age, that's pretty decent. Who knows if he will make a defence and get it for keepsies
It's early days and no one has called him out that I know of.

My point is that Johnson and Yarde are levels above guys like Buglioni and Burton, and yet people go on like Yarde beating good European fighters means he's terrified of these guys. Yeah, I'd like to see fighters go through the BBBoC levels, but that hasn't happened in forever. Remember all those good light middles we had in the late 90s?

Johnson/Yarde looks like a very tasty fight. Hopefully that happens, although Johnson being iced by Beterbiev probably wouldn't help. A surprise Johnson win though?

Both those guys smash the Burtons and Buglionis of the world to bits IMO. The only difference is that Yarde has serious backing, and is being shoved down our throats, so people have decided to have a moan about him.

I don't mind fighters being moved slowly but if they are then the promotors, fighters team and the fighters themselves need to shut up and build up in their own time. We don't need to see and hear from them. Callum Johnson is the man in the division in Britain and it seems like Yarde and his team have accepted that. By accepting the Beterbiev fight, Johnson demonstrates that he has more balls than Yarde at this stage, it's that simple. I highly doubt Yarde wanted anything to do with Johnson either. As I said, I don't mind the Yarde team moving slowly, but please shut the fk up if you are not going to put up.

[Ruthless-RKO]

IBF had no option. Everyone else above Johnson has said no..

[D4v3]

Massive respect for taking the risk, he's in trouble here though

[Old bones Ian]

Johnson has had long layoffs before, is over 30 and can't hang around . So no wonder he took this chance, ok so he's a big underdog quite rightly, but at least he can say at the end of his career he took the chance.
Plus a loss to possibly the best light heavy doesn't mean the Yarde fight won't happen after.

[TheLeprechaun]

Johnson has had long layoffs before, is over 30 and can't hang around . So no wonder he took this chance, ok so he's a big underdog quite rightly, but at least he can say at the end of his career he took the chance.
Plus a loss to possibly the best light heavy doesn't mean the Yarde fight won't happen after.

Does Johnson automatically relinquish the British title now that he's challenging for IBF?

[forcefraser]

Rose v Andrade, Rees v Broner, Lockett v Pavlik, Jennings v Cotto, Rhodes v Camelot, Smith v Camelot, Hatton v Canelo all spring to mind

[Avitar]

Johnson has had long layoffs before, is over 30 and can't hang around . So no wonder he took this chance, ok so he's a big underdog quite rightly, but at least he can say at the end of his career he took the chance.
Plus a loss to possibly the best light heavy doesn't mean the Yarde fight won't happen after.

Does Johnson automatically relinquish the British title now that he's challenging for IBF?

i could be wrong but i think his next mandatory was Burton so strait after the win he talked about vacating as they are both coached by joe gallagher

[ElJefe]

Has Johnson's team definitely accepted it? I saw Hearn tweet saying it'd been ordered but I wouldn't be surprised if Gallagher didn't fancy it.