BoxRec

Callum Johnson Coming Out of Retirement For Cruiserweight Run

Callum Johnson (20-1, 14 KOs), 37-years-old, is coming out of retirement for one final run.

And this time around, Johnson will attempt to find success in the cruiserweight division.

Johnson has been out of the ring since October of 2021, when he picked up a ten round majority decision win over Server Emurlaev.

"I've got bored of this retirement. I'm going to come back and have a go at cruiserweight, one last roll of the dice," Johnson said to Sky Sports News.

"I can't live the rest of my life without having a go. Even if I have one fight when I'm back, I'll be able to live the rest of my life in peace, but I feel I've got two, three, four good fights left in me."

Johnson revealed that he was struggling to make the light heavyweight limit of 175 for some time.

"I've been struggling to make the weight for a long time," Johnson explained.

"If you look at what's happening in the domestic scene, it's like the light heavyweight scene. The cruiserweights now are right up there. I'm not bothered who it's against. I'm not stupid, I know I can't just come back and say 'I want to fight him,' because it's not going to work like that and I might never get the opportunity. But I've got to be in it to win it and I want to get back and see what happens."

There are some big cruiserweight names on the domestic scene, like WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith, former champ Lawrence Okolie, and unbeaten contender Richard Riakporhe.

"I know what I can do, I'm not deluded," Johnson said. "I've still got it in the gym. I'm looking at the cruiserweights in Britain and the world stage, like Chris Billam-Smith, and I think I can compete with them. And I think I can beat them."

In 2018, Johnson suffered the sole defeat of his career at the hands of light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev - but, Johnson had Beterbiev down and hurt before ultimately suffering a knockout loss in the fourth round.

Don’t hate this. Was very surprised when he retired in the first place. Shame it’s cruiser and not in the massive domestic 175 scene.

A pity he left before. He had some winnable fights lined up. I think he could still win some stuff

gregregegg wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 04:50 Don’t hate this. Was very surprised when he retired in the first place. Shame it’s cruiser and not in the massive domestic 175 scene.

He looks about 17st now. He has been hammering the weights.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 05:22

gregregegg wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 04:50 Don’t hate this. Was very surprised when he retired in the first place. Shame it’s cruiser and not in the massive domestic 175 scene.

He looks about 17st now. He has been hammering the weights.

Yeah mate.

The ‘weights.’

jameswilson wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 05:24

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 05:22

gregregegg wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 04:50 Don’t hate this. Was very surprised when he retired in the first place. Shame it’s cruiser and not in the massive domestic 175 scene.

He looks about 17st now. He has been hammering the weights.

Yeah mate.

The ‘weights.’

Think he's on the omelettes?

It's boxing.

wrighty wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 05:33

jameswilson wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 05:24

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 05:22
He looks about 17st now. He has been hammering the weights.

Yeah mate.

The ‘weights.’

Think he's on the omelettes?

Well he ain’t gonna have been getting tested and his usual run between fights was 2-3 years anyway.

Good luck to him, entertaining style and has certainly earned his right to one big final payday if he can get it

Alex Arthur commented on a picture of Callum "See what us boxers can achieve when not watching our diets and doing loads of cardio"...

He turns down numerous fights. Waste of time coming back to see him fight once every 3 years.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 08:59 Alex Arthur commented on a picture of Callum "See what us boxers can achieve when not watching our diets and doing loads of cardio"...

Alex Arthur who’s head has completely changed shape? That one yeah?

3 months ago

jameswilson wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 09:49

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 08:59 Alex Arthur commented on a picture of Callum "See what us boxers can achieve when not watching our diets and doing loads of cardio"...

Alex Arthur who’s head has completely changed shape? That one yeah?

jameswilson wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 09:49

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 08:59 Alex Arthur commented on a picture of Callum "See what us boxers can achieve when not watching our diets and doing loads of cardio"...

Alex Arthur who’s head has completely changed shape? That one yeah?

Remember when Alex Arthur got dominated by Nicky Cook and then afterwards blamed ‘English judges’ for robbing him.

"I could see the shock on some people's faces at ringside. I don't think a lot of them could believe it.‘

jameswilson wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 09:49

mickey1975 wrote: ↑04 Aug 2023, 08:59 Alex Arthur commented on a picture of Callum "See what us boxers can achieve when not watching our diets and doing loads of cardio"...

Alex Arthur who’s head has completely changed shape? That one yeah?

Lmao

I do find the whole thing of " I won't take a vaccine but I'll inject illegal steroids that I got on the black market straight into my body" pretty funny. There's no way the "elites" that I'm "outsmarting" by not taking a vaccine would ever think of putting anything into black market drugs. They are only capable of orchestrating a massive pandemic scam and putting chips into vaccines. Im too smart for that.

Just talking in general, not about anyone specific as we know drug use in boxing is very rare.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑05 Aug 2023, 12:52 I do find the whole thing of " I won't take a vaccine but I'll inject illegal steroids that I got on the black market straight into my body" pretty funny. There's no way the "elites" that I'm "outsmarting" by not taking a vaccine would ever think of putting anything into black market drugs. They are only capable of orchestrating a massive pandemic scam and putting chips into vaccines. Im too smart for that.

Just talking in general, not about anyone specific as we know drug use in boxing is very rare.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑05 Aug 2023, 12:52 I do find the whole thing of " I won't take a vaccine but I'll inject illegal steroids that I got on the black market straight into my body" pretty funny. There's no way the "elites" that I'm "outsmarting" by not taking a vaccine would ever think of putting anything into black market drugs. They are only capable of orchestrating a massive pandemic scam and putting chips into vaccines. Im too smart for that.

Just talking in general, not about anyone specific as we know drug use in boxing is very rare.

Very good!

The theories of ‘the elite’ having any kind of grand scheme always tickles me. Most politicians can barely manage to put their pants on.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑05 Aug 2023, 12:52 I do find the whole thing of " I won't take a vaccine but I'll inject illegal steroids that I got on the black market straight into my body" pretty funny. There's no way the "elites" that I'm "outsmarting" by not taking a vaccine would ever think of putting anything into black market drugs. They are only capable of orchestrating a massive pandemic scam and putting chips into vaccines. Im too smart for that.

Just talking in general, not about anyone specific as we know drug use in boxing is very rare.

lol ya, so many bodybuilders were like this too, pontificating about not putting unhealthy substances into their bodies while literally pumping them daily with all sorts of dangerous sheeyat

He’s signed with Carl Greaves.

I mean will be difficult at his age.

Maybe he fights Pat Brown.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑16 Apr 2026, 12:40 He’s signed with Carl Greaves.

I mean will be difficult at his age.

Maybe he fights Pat Brown.

Blimey, I hope not, Pat could do him some real damage

Wouldn't mind seeing him fight for the Bridgerweight title against Lerena

KiwiRider wrote: ↑19 Apr 2026, 14:51 I thought he retired a bit early. He did make excellent money in the WBSS and by getting folded in half by Canelo having an easy night of it.
But his ace in the hole was his stature making SMW. Being that tall and rangy gave him enough of an advantage to have success.
At cruiser he is bang average size and 37.

What?

This is Johnson.. not Smith