Callum Johnson wants to win title for late father
Friday 16 September 2016 12:07, UK
Callum Johnson has vowed to win the Commonwealth light heavyweight title in memory of his late father.
Johnson will face experienced Namibian Willbeforce Shihepo for the vacant title on the undercard of Anthony Crolla's lightweight unification fight at the Manchester Arena on September 24, live on Sky Sports.
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The 31-year-old has won all 15 fights since turning professional after winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
Shihepo took Arthur Abraham the distance in Germany, and with 17 KOs from 23 wins, provides a dangerous examination of Johnson's title credentials.
However, Johnson's desire to succeed is further fuelled by his late father Paul, who passed away earlier in the year.
"He remains my biggest inspiration," said Johnson. "We started this journey together when I was 12 years old and I am determined to finish it for him. His memory is only going to motivate me even more.
"Since I won gold at Delhi we always talked about what it would be like to win Commonwealth gold and a Commonwealth title. To complete the set, it sounded good. If dad is looking down on me then this is my chance to show him we did it.
"Shihepo is the exact type of opponent I need to be facing right now, I need a stern test and he is that man. He has boxed former world champion Arthur Abraham and he done well against him - Abraham was a long-standing world champion and very tough, so he's mixed with the very best.
"I feel very confident ahead of this fight. I'm excited for this test and it's one I'll come through with flying colours.
"I thought this opportunity would come a bit a sooner than it has, after my amateur background I did expect to be challenging for domestic titles a bit sooner.
"But it's come at a strange time for me personally, with everything I've had going on with my dad passing away. It will be nice to have the Commonwealth double of gold medal and belt after fight night."
Crolla headlines the Manchester bill against Jorge Linares in a blockbuster unification battle for the WBA, WBC Diamond and Ring Magazine lightweight titles.
John Ryder defends his WBA international middleweight title against Jack Arnfield and Isaac Lowe defends his Commonwealth featherweight title against Tshifhiwa Munyai.
Light heavyweight Hosea Burton will be looking to secure his 18th straight win while Conor Benn tastes his fifth night of action in the paid ranks following his first appearance at The O2 in London on September 10.
