Callum Johnson Inks Long-Term Deal With Frank W.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

World class light heavyweight Callum Johnson has signed a long-term promotional deal with Queensberry Promotions.

The former British and Commonwealth champion started his career with allegedly and has returned to the Hall of Fame promoter, who he believes is best placed to land him a world title.

Once Johnson achieves his World Title ambitions, potential domestic defences against stablemates Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde are sure to excite fans.

“I want to be in the best possible fights domestically and on the world stage. Frank is the man to deliver those fights,” said excited Johnson after signing his new deal.

“It wasn’t happening for me elsewhere, and Frank has a good stable of light heavyweights so returning to him made sense.”

Johnson, 35, was fearless when he challenged IBF World title holder Artur Beterbiev in October 2018. He floored the division’s main man before losing in the fourth round of a brutal war.

‘The One’ bounced back from that solitary defeat last March when he travelled to upstate New York and hammered local star Sean Monaghan in three rounds.

Johnson turned professional in December 2010 and injury has slowed the Boston boxer’s progression.

He added: “I am fresh and feel like I am 25. The only hard war I’ve had was the Beterbiev fight and I have so much more left.

“When I am running my times are better than ever and I am lifting heavier weights than I have done before.

“I am very fresh for my age. A lot of damage can also happen in sparring, but I have never really had hard spars and never had wars as an amateur.”

Callum became Commonwealth champion in September 2016 stopping Willbeforce Shihepo in nine rounds at Manchester Arena.

He was then sidelined for 18 months, but returned with a career best performance beating former World title challenger Frank Buglioni in just 91 seconds of round one, adding the British crown to his Commonwealth belt.

That set up the Beterbiev challenge and his trainer and manager Joe Gallagher insists Warren is the man to help him go one better.

Gallagher said: “Callum is the man to go and get that world light heavyweight title for Frank and bring it back to Britain.

“That will lead to big defences against the likes of Lyndon Arthur and Anthony Yarde who Frank also promotes.

“Callum had a frustrating 2020. He said, ‘Yes’ to fights with Dmitry Bivol and Joshua Buatsi but then heard no more.

“Now things are looking up. Callum is in the prime of his career and Frank has the contacts and fighters to make big things happen.

“Callum is back to where he started his career when Frank promoted him and Naseem Hamed was his manager."

Warren added: “I am delighted to be back working with Callum once again. He started his career with me and I hope he ends it having won a World championship and fulfilling his promise.

“We will get him out in the next couple of months and then it will all be about a big world title push and even at domestic level there will be some huge lucrative fights.”

Despite being raised born and raised in Lincoln he qualified to box for Scotland and won a gold medal for the Tartan army at 2010 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

His popularity in his hometown has led to a street being named after him on the Fenside Estate where he grew up. Last year a street was named ‘Callum Johnson Close.’

Details of Johnson’s next fight will be released shortly.

[BigDoofus]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

[maverick23]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV. He obviously wanted more than he was offered though and he wasn’t happy with his offer for a European title fight from Hearn (which then went to purse bids and he didn’t accept the fight based on the results of the bid).

Also didn’t help his cause when Joe called Eddie a racist!

Glad that he’ll be active now and him against Yarde or Arthur would be good fights but I don’t really see how he gets himself a world title fight in the next 12 months.

[world ranked]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV. He obviously wanted more than he was offered though and he wasn’t happy with his offer for a European title fight from Hearn (which then went to purse bids and he didn’t accept the fight based on the results of the bid).

Also didn’t help his cause when Joe called Eddie a racist!

Glad that he’ll be active now and him against Yarde or Arthur would be good fights but I don’t really see how he gets himself a world title fight in the next 12 months.

The WBO 175 weak enough and now signing with Warren he can get a shot at the WBO belt.

[mickey1975]

He could knock Yarde out of Queensbury and probably a lucrative contract.

[maverick23]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV. He obviously wanted more than he was offered though and he wasn’t happy with his offer for a European title fight from Hearn (which then went to purse bids and he didn’t accept the fight based on the results of the bid).

Also didn’t help his cause when Joe called Eddie a racist!

Glad that he’ll be active now and him against Yarde or Arthur would be good fights but I don’t really see how he gets himself a world title fight in the next 12 months.

The WBO 175 weak enough and now signing with Warren he can get a shot at the WBO belt.

I’d forgotten that belt was vacant! For some reason I thought Beterbiev had it.

Even so, there will be a fight in the next few months for the vacant title and Johnson currently isn’t even in the WBO top 15 so it could take a while before any title challenge.

Saying that I’m pretty sure signing with FW gets him straight into the WBO top 15!

FW would be better off putting him in with either Yarde or Arthur.

[mickey1975]

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV. He obviously wanted more than he was offered though and he wasn’t happy with his offer for a European title fight from Hearn (which then went to purse bids and he didn’t accept the fight based on the results of the bid).

Also didn’t help his cause when Joe called Eddie a racist!

Glad that he’ll be active now and him against Yarde or Arthur would be good fights but I don’t really see how he gets himself a world title fight in the next 12 months.

The WBO 175 weak enough and now signing with Warren he can get a shot at the WBO belt.

I’d forgotten that belt was vacant! For some reason I thought Beterbiev had it.

Even so, there will be a fight in the next few months for the vacant title and Johnson currently isn’t even in the WBO top 15 so it could take a while before any title challenge.

Saying that I’m pretty sure signing with FW gets him straight into the WBO top 15!

FW would be better off putting him in with either Yarde or Arthur.

If he sticks him in with Yarde, he wants Yarde, and The Lions, off the books.

[maverick23]

The WBO 175 weak enough and now signing with Warren he can get a shot at the WBO belt.

I’d forgotten that belt was vacant! For some reason I thought Beterbiev had it.

Even so, there will be a fight in the next few months for the vacant title and Johnson currently isn’t even in the WBO top 15 so it could take a while before any title challenge.

Saying that I’m pretty sure signing with FW gets him straight into the WBO top 15!

FW would be better off putting him in with either Yarde or Arthur.

If he sticks him in with Yarde, he wants Yarde, and The Lions, off the books.

Maybe but it’s a fight where the winner can really move on and it will be tough for the loser (depending on how though) to come back at a good level.

He’ll need to get some meaningful fights fairly quickly though as he’s not young and hasn’t been active. Hopefully FW slings him on one of his March shows before a bigger fight in June/July.

[smiling assassin]

Really rate Johnson. Let’s hope he finally gets active I think he’s the best light heavy we’ve got

[TheRealz]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV. He obviously wanted more than he was offered though and he wasn’t happy with his offer for a European title fight from Hearn (which then went to purse bids and he didn’t accept the fight based on the results of the bid).

Also didn’t help his cause when Joe called Eddie a racist!

Glad that he’ll be active now and him against Yarde or Arthur would be good fights but I don’t really see how he gets himself a world title fight in the next 12 months.

The WBO 175 weak enough and now signing with Warren he can get a shot at the WBO belt.

I wouldnt call Joe Smith Jr weak

[maverick23]

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV. He obviously wanted more than he was offered though and he wasn’t happy with his offer for a European title fight from Hearn (which then went to purse bids and he didn’t accept the fight based on the results of the bid).

Also didn’t help his cause when Joe called Eddie a racist!

Glad that he’ll be active now and him against Yarde or Arthur would be good fights but I don’t really see how he gets himself a world title fight in the next 12 months.

The WBO 175 weak enough and now signing with Warren he can get a shot at the WBO belt.

I wouldnt call Joe Smith Jr weak

It’s actually quite a decent top 15 to be honest. There aren’t many gimmies in there.

[rd350lc]

Really rate Johnson. Let’s hope he finally gets active I think he’s the best light heavy we’ve got

Agree , needs to be busier and hopefully this move will get him that .

[Rezzer1967]

So Joe Gallagher is now best mates with Frank. Are the Smith brothers on the way back ?

[mickey1975]

So Joe Gallagher is now best mates with Frank. Are the Smith brothers on the way back ?

Liam had a good run there. Triology with Williams if he comes good. Eddie can’t be bothered with him.

[stujones]

So Joe Gallagher is now best mates with Frank. Are the Smith brothers on the way back ?

Liam had a good run there. Triology with Williams if he comes good. Eddie can’t be bothered with him.

Think the Smith boys might be finished in the eyes of Matchroom. Callum might be okay at 175 but I think an issue is one of his key strengths at 168 was his size, this won't be as big a factor at Light Heavy. What is clear for Matchroom now if he sticks to 168 - he will always play 2nd fiddle to Alvarez now - yes Eddie has only a short term deal with Canelo, but you can just see he wants it to be longer. He is hardly singing the "I hope Billy does him" line like he was singing about Callum.

Think Liam and Stephen are now probably on the wrong side of their career age wise and are already passed their prime.

[mickey1975]

So Joe Gallagher is now best mates with Frank. Are the Smith brothers on the way back ?

Liam had a good run there. Triology with Williams if he comes good. Eddie can’t be bothered with him.

Think the Smith boys might be finished in the eyes of Matchroom. Callum might be okay at 175 but I think an issue is one of his key strengths at 168 was his size, this won't be as big a factor at Light Heavy. What is clear for Matchroom now if he sticks to 168 - he will always play 2nd fiddle to Alvarez now - yes Eddie has only a short term deal with Canelo, but you can just see he wants it to be longer. He is hardly singing the "I hope Billy does him" line like he was singing about Callum.

Think Liam and Stephen are now probably on the wrong side of their career age wise and are already passed their prime.

There’s a huge changing of the guard at Matchroom. Joe G and Dom have more or less been phased out. AJ, Buatsi, Okolie, Benn, D.Smith, Price etc are the main men on that side.

[Webbo911]

So Joe G thinks beating Sean Monagan 2 years ago entitles Johnson to an immediate title shot? He'll defend against Arthur and Yarde AFTER?

Typical.

[maverick23]

Liam had a good run there. Triology with Williams if he comes good. Eddie can’t be bothered with him.

Think the Smith boys might be finished in the eyes of Matchroom. Callum might be okay at 175 but I think an issue is one of his key strengths at 168 was his size, this won't be as big a factor at Light Heavy. What is clear for Matchroom now if he sticks to 168 - he will always play 2nd fiddle to Alvarez now - yes Eddie has only a short term deal with Canelo, but you can just see he wants it to be longer. He is hardly singing the "I hope Billy does him" line like he was singing about Callum.

Think Liam and Stephen are now probably on the wrong side of their career age wise and are already passed their prime.

There’s a huge changing of the guard at Matchroom. Joe G and Dom have more or less been phased out. AJ, Buatsi, Okolie, Benn, D.Smith, Price etc are the main men on that side.

I don’t know whether Stephen has any intention to fight again - all certainly quiet with him. Liam still has quite a bit left but it’s either a step back into British/European level with the various brits at light-middle (Cheeseman, Fitz, Fowler) or try and find a meaningful world level fight. The titles are tied up now on PBC so I’m expecting Liam to be fighting a top 10 fighter on one of the overseas DAZN shows.

Weirdly, apart from Paul, the Smith’s haven’t been very big ticket sellers.

Certainly a changing of the guard re: the main trainers involved with Matchroom. Eddie seems to be involved with the various boxers who are managing fighters (AJ, Whyte, Billy Joe).

[maverick23]

So Joe G thinks beating Sean Monagan 2 years ago entitles Johnson to an immediate title shot? He'll defend against Arthur and Yarde AFTER?

Typical.

Joe’s deluded.

[mickey1975]

Paul Smigga Smith was the original, had a high profile through the commonwealth games plus an Olympic gold medalist rival and two scousers in three Echo sell outs.

[BigDoofus]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV.

Split/ Purse. It means the same doesn't it?
There were rumours on a podcast that Johnson wasn't happy being offered £40k compared to Buatsi's £150k.

[BigDoofus]

Liam had a good run there. Triology with Williams if he comes good. Eddie can’t be bothered with him.

Think the Smith boys might be finished in the eyes of Matchroom. Callum might be okay at 175 but I think an issue is one of his key strengths at 168 was his size, this won't be as big a factor at Light Heavy. What is clear for Matchroom now if he sticks to 168 - he will always play 2nd fiddle to Alvarez now - yes Eddie has only a short term deal with Canelo, but you can just see he wants it to be longer. He is hardly singing the "I hope Billy does him" line like he was singing about Callum.

Think Liam and Stephen are now probably on the wrong side of their career age wise and are already passed their prime.

There’s a huge changing of the guard at Matchroom. Joe G and Dom have more or less been phased out. AJ, Buatsi, Okolie, Benn, D.Smith, Price etc are the main men on that side.

British 3 minute round World champions are being phased out.

[mickey1975]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV.

Split/ Purse. It means the same doesn't it?
There were rumours on a podcast that Johnson wasn't happy being offered £40k compared to Buatsi's £150k.

I don’t blame him. He’s knocked out Bug in one and floored Beterbiev! I’d want 50-50 minimum. It sounds like Eddie doesn’t fancy it.

[margaret thatcher]

black single mothers lives matter

[maverick23]

There were rumours that he was offered the Buatsi fight with about a 20/80 split.

I don’t think the offer for Buatsi would have involved a split as it wouldn’t have been PPV.

Split/ Purse. It means the same doesn't it?
There were rumours on a podcast that Johnson wasn't happy being offered £40k compared to Buatsi's £150k.

A split is of something that’s variable whilst a purse is a set amount. Joe/Callum wouldn’t know what Buatsi’s being offered - they’ll just be guessing. If it was a % split then they clearly would know.

If he was offered £40k for the fight then I’m not surprised he turned it down but I’d be very surprised if that’s all he was offered.