Callum Johnson scored an empathic win over Frank Buglioni to claim the British light heavyweight title to accompany his Commonwealth belt, and giving his analysis to WBN for the new champ is his trainer, Joe Gallagher.
Claiming a first-round knockout over Buglioni, Johnson is now firmly sitting in the UK spotlight. Gallagher informed WBN that he predicted the knockout beforehand.
“I said when the fight was first made, it would be a humbling knockout. I thought Callum Johnson had been a giant in the light-heavyweight division. He won the Commonwealth title and had a bit of time out and inactivity, but the preparation for this fight was great,” Gallagher exclusively told World Boxing News.
“He had great sparring, and we were very confident. We didn’t say much but knuckled down, and Callum had a point to prove. In some of the interviews, I said it was now or never for Callum Johnson.”
Joe Gallagher speaks to WBN
Gallagher couldn’t be happier with seeing his newly crowned champion over the moon.
“What everyone sees in the gym, what we all knew, it was up to Callum to go in and show everyone, and he did that in some fashion, so a huge statement.
“He is absolutely loving the life as a British champion; his phone has gone non-stop, and he’s getting good luck messages from people and soap stars and football stars, so it’s quite surreal for him.”
Gallagher revisited the time Johnson won the Commonwealth title shortly after the passing of Johnson’s father, and now, with the addition of the British title, he was finally able to celebrate.
“When he won the Commonwealth title, I don’t think he could take it in and enjoy it because it was so soon after his father passed away, but this time, he’s been able to enjoy it and really let it sink in.
“I don’t think he’s slept for two or three days, coming into the gym with his belt and him and Hosea Burton having some banter over it, and yeah, he’s in a really good place.
“The thing is now to get him out again quite soon; we’re seeing how Eddie has done a good job with Frank, get him a couple of defenses, and how he has with Lewis Ritson.
“I think Callum Johnson is an exciting talent, and I’m sure Sky will want to see him soon. The plan is to get him out, most probably in June, for a defense of the title,” he added.
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