Callum Johnson believes he’s Britain’s best Light Heavyweight and says he’ll show his class when he faces Tony Hill at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on September 5, live on Sky Sports.
Johnson meets the Southampton man in his third fight at the venue and the 30 year old is buzzing after signing a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn following a run of fights on Matchroom bills.
Johnson previously cut a frustrated figure have boxed just once in two years up to May 2014, but with seven fights since then reigniting his fire, the Lincolnshire man is out to prove that when it comes to the 175lbs division, he is ‘The One’.
“The days of being inactive are behind me so this fight has come at a great time for me,” said Johnson. “Tony is a good fighter and this is a massive chance for him on a big card live on Sky Sports, but I have waited too long to get into big fights to let it slip.
“It’s a decent division domestically, and it’s possibly the toughest on the World scene bar the Welterweights. I am just ready to fight anyone in this country. I think I am beyond British level already really, but I haven’t proved that yet.
“I was in the gym not getting fights and that was frustrating, but that’s all changed now and a happy fighter is a good fighter and I think that I am showing that in my performances.
“It’s taken longer for me to get my title shots but I was always confident that I would and now I am moving into line for the big fights there’s no way I will let the opportunities pass me by.
“I got some good rounds in last time, I do like to get the stoppages but sometimes it doesn’t go that way and getting rounds has done me the world of good ahead of the fight with Tony.”
Johnson’s clash with Hill is part of a huge night of action in Leeds as hometown favourite Josh Warrington defends his WBC International and Commonwealth Featherweight titles against Joel Brunker.
St Helens star Martin Murray will take part in his first championship bout since facing Gennady Golovkin, unbeaten Birmingham Super Flyweight star Kal Yafai is in action and Andy Townend makes the first defence of his English Super Featherweight title against Lee Glover.
Tickets are on general sale now with tickets priced at £30, £40, £60 and £100 available from the First Direct Arena on 0844 248 1585 and at www.firstdirectarena.com. VIP tickets priced at £150 are available exclusively from Matchroom Boxing on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.
Tickets for September 5 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing.
