NOWHERE TO HIDE
Johnson scares the monster of the lightheavyweight division, Beterbiev, in Chicago, writes John Dennen
Callum Johnson takes on the destructive Artur Beterbiev in Chicago
CALLUM JOHNSON
is going to shock the world.” Having his hands wrapped in the quiet moments before his fight, IBF title challenger Johnson sounded far more serene than he had any right to be. He wasn’t about to take on any ordinary fighter. He was boxing fearsome Russian lightheavyweight Artur Beterbiev, a man who has won every professional contest he’s had inside the distance, by devastating knockout more often than not. For a world champion, Beterbiev is an avoided man.
Yet Johnson was inspired. He had struggled to come to terms with the death of his father. That grief was on his mind in the build up to this fight. He had dedicated the British title he won to his father’s memory and wanted to do just the same with the world title.
The Briton started with real purpose. He was not overawed by the champion. Johnson came forward, taking the initiative. He connected with his right cross and left hook, finding unanticipated gaps in Beterbiev’s defences.
His good work in the early going however was undone when the Russian knocked him to the canvas. Out of position Johnson was caught between the ropes. Callum backed out of the tangle, leaving himself open, perhaps thinking the referee had called break. Beterbiev
‘I KNOW I CAN PERFORM SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT. MY TIME WILL COME’