Callum Johnson has signed a promotional with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
Former world title challenger, Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs), who started his career with Warren has returned to his first promoter after enduring a frustrating period of inactivity in 2020.
The 35-year-old, who was fighting on Matchroom Boxing shows, but did not have an official promotional deal, is the latest addition to Warren’s Light Heavyweight stable which includes Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur.
’The One’ had his breakthrough night in 2018 claiming the British and Commonwealth belts inside a round against Frank Buglioni, before falling short against Artur Beterbiev in an unsuccessful bid for the IBF Light Heavyweight title in 2018, losing by fourth round stoppage having knocked the unbeaten Russian down in the second round.
Johnson halted Sean Monaghan in three rounds in his last fight in March 2019 and did not feature last year, with a European title shot and proposed showdown with Joshua Buatsi not materialising.
“At the end of the day I want to get out and fight,” Johnson told The Lowdown.
“I was talking to Joe [Gallagher] and we were watching what Frank was doing especially with the Light Heavyweights and I was watching the BT Sport shows and I was thinking, ‘I want to be a part of that, I want to be busy, I want to be active.’
“I’m not one of these that always think ‘it’s written in the stars and it’s fate’, but it’s kind of looking that way a little bit.
“It’s kind of like ‘I started there, then we went here and now we’re back there’ imagine Frank delivers that world title and we win that world title, it would be like a fairytale ending to a long frustrating career, but it’ll turn out to be a great carer.
“I am excited, I’m looking forward to it.”
Johnson has called for a rematch with Beterbiev ever since his defeat to him and is also keen to face Joe Smith Jr, who is set for a rescheduled WBO title shot against Maxim Vlasov, after their bout was postponed due to the Russian testing positive for Covid-19.
“I think I could beat anyone in the world on my day,” Johnson added.
“He is going to fight for it [the WBO] and hopefully he wins that and I look at that as maybe the best route or the way to get to a world title fight.”
Johnson’s stablemates Anthony Yarde and Lyndon Arthur could be set to meet later this year after Arthur’s split decision victory in December.
And the Brit’s trainer and manager, Joe Gallagher believes a fight with either of them are realistic possibilities should he claim a maiden world title.
“Joe Smith is well aware of the interest of Callum Johnson,” Gallagher told The Lowdown.
“They’ve both fought on the same card, they’ve both had pictures taken together at the International Boxing Hall of Fame and they got on well and they both respect each other, both humble kids, but both bring it in the ring and yeah that is the route.
“I think if Callum Johnson comes back, gets a good win, then fights Joe Smith, wins the world title, I think Callum then would love to go into that unification then with a Beterbiev as a chance of a rematch.
“Or bring that belt to the UK and defend it against your Yardes, your Arthurs and whoever else.”
