Callum Paul Johnson (born 20 August 1985) is a British professional boxer who challenged once for the IBF light-heavyweight title in 2018. At regional level, he held the Commonwealth light-heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 and the British light-heavyweight title in 2018. As an amateur, he won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Callum Johnson
Born20 August 1985 (1985-08-20) (age 39)
NationalityBritish
Other namesThe One
Statistics
Weight(s)Light-heavyweight, Cruiserweight
Height5 ft 11+12 in (182 cm)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins23
Wins by KO15
Losses1
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing  Scotland
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Delhi Light heavyweight
Commonwealth Championships
Silver medal – second place 2010 Delhi Light heavyweight

Amateur career

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Johnson began boxing at a local club in his home town of Boston from an early age but moved to train at Terry Allen Unique ABC in Lincoln by the time he was 16.[1] He boxed on 120 occasions as an amateur winning 95.[2]

Qualifying through his grandparents, Johnson boxed for Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, defeating Northern Ireland's Thomas McCarthy in the 81kg light heavyweight final to win the gold medal.[3][4]

Professional career

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After the Commonwealth Games, Johnson turned professional, signing with promoter Frank Warren and being managed by former world champion Naseem Hamed.[5]

On 4 December 2010, he made his professional debut at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow, stopping Phillip Townley in the second-round on on the undercard of Ricky Burns' world title defence against Andreas Evenson.[6][7]

Johnson won his first professional title when he claimed the vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight belt with a ninth-round knockout win over Willbeforce Shihepo at Manchester Arena on 24 September 2016.[8][9]

He added the British light-heavyweight title to his collection thanks to a spectacular first-round stoppage of defending champion Frank Buglioni on 24 March 2018 at The O2 Arena in London.[10][11]

On 6 October 2018, Johnson challenged Artur Beterbiev for his IBF world light heavyweight title at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois. He managed to drop the champion in the second-round with a left hook but Beterbiev recovered quickly and knocked Johnson to the canvas in the fourth round with a big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight.[12][13]

In his next bout, Johnson defeated Sean Monaghan, who was ranked #13 by the WBC at light heavyweight, with a third round technical knockout at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, on 9 March 2019.[14][15]

On 24 April 2021, he claimed the WBO Global light-heavyweight title with a second-round stoppage of Emil Markic at York Hall in London.[16][17]

Johnson retained his title via a majority decision win over Server Emurlaev at Arena Birmingham on 9 October 2021 with two of the ringside judges scoring the fight 99-92 and 96-94 in his favour while the third had it a 95-95 draw.[18][19]

Having not fought for more than a year, Johnson retired from professional boxing in November 2022[20][21] but reversed his decision and returned to the ring in December 2023 stepping up in weight divisions to compete at cruiserweight.[22][23]

His first comeback contest resulted in an opening round stoppage win over Darryl Sharp in Manchester on 8 December 2023, followed by a points victory against Viktar Chvarkou in Grantham, Lincolnshire, on 15 June 2024, Then Defeated Chvarkou Again on September 14, 2024 by Unanimous Decision as all 3 judges Scored it 60-54.[24]

Honours

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Having previously been made a Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Boston, Johnson had a road named after him in his home town of Boston, Lincolnshire, in August 2020.[25][26]

Professional boxing record

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24 fights 23 wins 1 loss
By knockout 15 1
By decision 7 0
By disqualification 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Win 23–1   Viktar Chvarkou PTS 6 14 Sep 2024   Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham, England
23 Win 22–1   Viktar Chvarkou PTS 4 15 Jun 2024   Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham, England
22 Win 21–1   Darryl Sharp KO 1 (6) 8 Dec 2023   The Fuse, Partington, Manchester, England
21 Win 20–1   Server Emurlaev MD 10 9 Oct 2021   Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, England Retained WBO Global light-heavyweight title
20 Win 19–1   Emil Markic TKO 2 (10), 2:37 24 Apr 2021   York Hall, London, England Won vacant WBO Global light-heavyweight title
19 Win 18–1   Sean Monaghan TKO 3 (10), 0:23 9 Mar 2019   Turning Stone Resort Casino, Verona, New York, US
18 Loss 17–1   Artur Beterbiev KO 4 (12), 2:36 6 Oct 2018   Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US For IBF light-heavyweight title
17 Win 17–0   Frank Buglioni TKO 1 (12), 1:31 24 Mar 2018   The O2 Arena, London, England Retained Commonwealth light-heavyweight title;
Won British light-heavyweight title
16 Win 16–0   Willbeforce Shihepo KO 9 (12), 2:07 24 Sep 2016   Manchester Arena, Manchester, England Won vacant Commonwealth light-heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0   Norbert Szekeres TKO 1 (6), 2:32 18 Jun 2016   EventCity, Manchester, England
14 Win 14–0   Richard Horton TKO 1 (6), 1:18 7 May 2016   Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
13 Win 13–0   Tsvetozar Iliev PTS 4 26 Jun 2015   Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
12 Win 12–0   Jose Manuel Iglesias KO 1 (6), 1:17 11 Apr 2015   First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
11 Win 11–0   Bartlomiej Grafka TKO 2 (8), 1:59 7 Mar 2015   Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham, England
10 Win 10–0   Josef Obeslo TKO 1 (6), 3:00 7 Nov 2014   North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln, England
9 Win 9–0   Luke Allon TKO 3 (6), 1:39 4 Oct 2014   First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
8 Win 8–0   Nathan King PTS 4 27 Jun 2014   Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
7 Win 7–0   Egidijus Kakstys TKO 2 (4), 2:10 17 May 2014   North Kesteven Centre, Lincoln, England
6 Win 6–0   John Anthony DQ 7 (8), 2:16 31 May 2013   Town Hall, Walsall, England Anthony disqualified for persistent holding
5 Win 5–0   James Tucker TKO 7 (8), 1:18 18 May 2012   Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester, England
4 Win 4–0   Tommy Tolan KO 1 (4), 1:30 10 Mar 2012   Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
3 Win 3–0   Lee Duncan PTS 4 16 Jul 2011   Echo Arena, Liverpool, England
2 Win 2–0   Jody Meikle PTS 4 12 Mar 2011   Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland
1 Win 1–0   Phillip Townley TKO 2 (4), 1:34 4 Dec 2010   Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland

References

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  1. ^ "This is Lincolnshire | Callum keeps his feet on the ground despite turning professional". Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
  2. ^ This is Lincolnshire | Hamed back protege Johnson to rule boxing world
  3. ^ "Callum Johnson strikes gold, Josh Taylor takes silver". Boxing Scotland. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Commonwealth Games: Emotional Callum Johnson wins boxing gold for Scotland". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  5. ^ Boxing Scene | Callum Johnson Commonwealth champion inks with Warren
  6. ^ "Naseem Hamed praises 'chilling' Callum Johnson debut". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Naseem Hamed tribute to 'brilliant' Callum Johnson after impressive pro debut win". The Scotsman. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Callum Johnson wins Commonwealth title with ninth-round KO of Willbeforce Shihepo". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Callum Johnson Stops Shihepo, Wins Commonwealth Belt". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Callum Johnson Demolishes Frank Buglioni in One Round". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  11. ^ "Whyte vs Browne: Callum Johnson stuns Frank Buglioni with first-round stoppage". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  12. ^ "Artur Beterbiev survives knockdown, scores fourth-round KO of Callum Johnson to retain title". The Ring. 7 October 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Johnson vs Beterbiev: Callum Johnson beaten by Artur Beterbiev after exciting firefight". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Johnson vs Monaghan - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Callum Johnson Drops Monaghan Twice, Batters Him For TKO". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Callum Johnson makes impressive return to boxing after rejoining Frank Warren stable". Lincolnshire Live. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Photos: Callum Johnson Rocked, Rallies To Blast Out Emil Markic". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Callum Johnson survives Emurlaev". Fight News. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Callum Johnson defeats Server Emurlaev - in pictures". Lincolnshire World. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Callum Johnson Decides To End His Career, Will Focus on Mental Health Struggles". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  21. ^ "Boston boxing hero Callum Johnson 'quits' sport, citing self-discipline and mental health challenges – Mayor of Boston pays tribute to his achievements and courage". Lincolnshire World. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Callum Johnson Coming Out of Retirement For Cruiserweight Run". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Callum Johnson comes out of retirement to target world cruiserweight elite: 'One last roll of the dice!'". Sky Sports. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Callum Johnson quietly re-emerging as cruiserweight contender". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Boxer Callum Johnson has street named after him on estate where he grew up". Lincolnshire Live. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Boston boxing hero Callum proud to have street named after him on estate he grew up on". Lincolnshire World. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
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