I hate hearing this, it's truly tragic, Callum is an absolute beast. Such wasted potential, with his punch and skillset, he could've achieved a Joe Smith Jr. level of greatness in the sport and become a huge fan favorite. I hate mental illness, especially when it plagues people who have the potential to be great, undermines them and keeps them from appreciating how good they really are. It's like Dunning Kruger in reverse.
He was like a B+ version of beterbiev. Very physically strong just not the same skill set but I felt he could have got himself another big fight at the weight. sorry to see his career kind of flounder away and now end
37 is a good time to stop. I'm not surprised; he'd only been sporadically active since the Beterbiev loss. I hope he doesn't second-guess himself and is able to move on to the next chapter of his life in successful fashion.
That's sad news. In addition to being blighted with absolutely rotten luck throughout his career, way more than his fair share, he's also one of the sport's genuine good guys and with that two-fisted savage power of his and skills he could've easily picked up a belt with a bit of luck. Not many would take the fight to the teak-tough murderous punching Beterbiev like he did and he had him genuinely hurt when he dropped him too which isn't easily achieved at all He turned pro in late 2010 and has only had 21 fights (20-1) Had a whole year out between 2012-2013 After fighting once in 2013 he was out for another whole year Out for almost a year between 2015-2016 Out for 18 months between 2016-2018 Out for over 2 years between 2019-2021 And he hasn't fought in over a year He's only fought 6 times in the last 6 years
This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected He had to turn down a title shot against Bivol due to injury too 'It appeared that 2019 was going to be one to remember for the 34-year-old following March’s vitory over Sean Monaghan in New York. But injury has left him inactive ever since, Johnson having to turn down a world title fight against Dmitry Bivol in the process. “I got off to a flying start, but it’s been a crappy year for me,” Johnson, who has won Comonwealth and British titles as a pro, told The Standard. “I got injured at the wrong time, and that’s been the story of my career at times.'
It was a shame we never saw some of those fights that never happened. I would have loved to have seen him flatten Bumatsi for example. Part of the reason for retirement was the fact he got old and ran out of time. Boxing is a young mans sport.
He always seems like the type who let things affect him emotionally too much. Some people use that as motivation and some can't. Being with Joe Gallagher - miserable tw*t - probably reinforced the lack of self belief in Callum tbh.... It's a shame. When the Joe Smith fight didnt happen I knew it would tip this guy over because he already had a naturally pessimistic personality and hard to deal with too. He is with Frank Warren so why not fight some domestic 175lbs fighters? Yarde...Buatsi...Smith....
I think he has had a tough time with losing his dad and/or another family member a few years back. He should be able to hold his head up high. May never have accomplished the dream of winning a world championship but he has done well despite the injuries and setbacks. He fought with bravery and dignity.
What a shame to hear of this,I had always hoped to see Callum Johnson fight Callum Smith but I don’t think Hearn ever fancied it tbh .
It is not just boxing , other people fight demons too but if you are not all there its time to step away from a dangerous occupation. Wish him best of luck.