Callum Walsh recently had a night to remember at the 3Arena in Dublin as he claimed a stunning knockout victory against Polish fighter Przemyslaw Runowski in front of a sold-out crowd.
It was his first-ever professional fight in Ireland, and marking it with a phenomenal win brought him one step closer to realising his huge dream of headlining a fight in his home city.
The unbeaten junior middleweight star has his sights firmly set on a historic homecoming on March 18, 2025, which would mark the 30th anniversary of Steve Collins’ famous victory against Chris Eubank in Cork.
Walsh’s Statement Victory Against Runowski
Walsh knocked out Runowski in round two to extend his unbeaten streak to 12-0. His record of ten knockouts solidifies his status as one of the most powerful punchers in the junior middleweight division.
The 23-year-old was all over Runowski from the first bell. He landed a solid left cross that shook Runowski to his core and it was clear how the fight would unfold from that moment.
Walsh clicked into second gear in round two, unleashing a right-left combination that sent Runowski crashing to the canvas, sending the Irish crowd into raptures.
The knockout came just over a minute into the round, and Runowski stayed down on his knees as the referee counted him out.
The Polish fighter protested that he shouldn’t have lost by knockout as he beat the count, but it made no difference as Walsh’s power proved too much for him to handle.
Walsh couldn’t hide his excitement after the fight. He lauded himself as a top contender and hinted that the fight against Runowski wouldn’t be his last in Ireland.
“This is unbelievable,” Walsh said in the post-fight interview. “What a night. He had never been stopped until he got hit by me. I just hit too hard. Once you get touched to the chin by my left hand, it’s game over.
“I can’t wait to come back. This is going to be a recurring thing. It’s not a one-and-done. We’re going to be back again. This is just the beginning. I am a contender. I’m not a prospect.”
True to his word, the Cork native is actively pushing for a return to the Emerald Isle and is planning to headline a major event in his home city.
Walsh’s Homecoming Dream
After ending Runowski’s unbeaten streak in spectacular fashion, Walsh spoke passionately about his desire to fight in front of his home fans.
He considers it the perfect way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Collins versus Eubank bout at the iconic Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Collins dropped Eubank in front of 20,000 fans to claim the WBO super-middleweight title, and replicating such a historic feat on home turf would be a dream come true for Walsh.
The historical significance of the Collins-Eubank fight is not lost on Walsh, who grew up hearing about the iconic bout that remains one of the greatest moments in Irish boxing history.
As a Cork native, Walsh feels a sense of responsibility to bring that level of excitement back to his hometown. His potential return in 2025 has already become a major talking point across the boxing world and is generating plenty of excitement in the betting community.
If he gets his main event showdown, the betting sites listed on Dundalk Sport are guaranteed to roll out a wide range of promotions to lure punters to their platform.
Walsh’s dominant knockout victory against Runowski has fuelled the hype surrounding his potential return, and bettors will feel confident about his chances of claiming back-to-back wins in Ireland.
They will be eager to back the unbeaten junior middleweight star, especially with his impressive 12-0 record.
White Could Helpe Walsh Get his Dream Fight
The pieces are already falling into place for Walsh to make his Cork dream a reality, and the win over Runowski was undeniably a massive step forward.
Walsh has the backing of 360 Promotions and Ultimate Fighting Championship boss Dana White, so he is well-positioned to feature in a main event in Cork.
White has shown a keen interest in boxing and is committed to making the fight happen, although he has stopped short of guaranteeing an exact timeline.
Walsh’s growing reputation and impressive record improves his chances of landing a high-profile bout. However, boxing is as much about business as it is about athleticism, so the finances need to make sense for all parties involved before the fight receives a green light.
There are plenty of other logistical and promotional obstacles that need to be taken care of, but the enthusiasm from Walsh and his team could expedite the process.
Walsh has made a name for himself in the junior middleweight division, but a box office fight will need a big-name opponent to draw the kind of crowd that a venue like Pairc Ui Chaoimh demands.
