Cork boxer Callum Walsh closing in on world title fights with backing of UFC's Dana White

Unbeaten Cork super-welterweight Callum Walsh (13-0) will take on Mexican contender Elias Espadas in California on Saturday night.
The 24-year-old is on a streak of four successive knockouts, the last three all coming in the first two rounds. His last fight, against Scotland's Dean Sutherland, was a first-round stoppage victory at Madison Square Garden in New York in March.
Walsh is ranked in the top 10 of the division by two of the sanctioning bodies and is currently one of the highest ranked Irish fighters in professional boxing.
Walsh has enjoyed the backing of UFC CEO Dana White, with his fights being broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, the company's streaming service.
READ MORE
White also travelled to Dublin for Walsh's bout at the 3Arena last year, when he knocked out Polish fighter Przemyslaw Runowski in the second round.
Walsh was the first boxer to be supported by the MMA promoter and White has since announced he will co-promote the blockbuster fight between Canelo Alvarez and Terrence Crawford alongside Saudi Arabian billionaire Turki al-Sheikh, who has invested heavily in the sport.
Walsh's opponent Espadas has won 23 contests, with six defeats and one draw. He has won 16 fights by knockout.
However, Espadas has only fought five times in the last four years, winning two, drawing one, and losing the other two by knockout.
The 34-year-old will be a heavy underdog in the contest, and Walsh will be hoping this fight is just another step towards a world title.
White is not the only high-profile member of Team Walsh, as he is trained by Freddie Roach of the Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood.
Roach has been living with Parkinson's disease for nearly 40 years and has said the hand-eye co-ordination involved in training fighters helps with his symptoms.
The 65-year-old has trained legendary fighters like James Toney, Oscar De La Hoya, and, most famously, Manny Pacquiao, the eight-weight world champion from the Philippines.
Pacquiao, now 46, recently returned to train alongside Walsh at the LA gym ahead of a comeback world title fight which is scheduled for July.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

The Irish Sun

an hour ago

• The Irish Sun

Jack O'Connor & Kerry receive badly needed boost before Cavan test while John Kiely's Limerick ready for Dublin

KERRY are boosted by the return of some key men for tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final with Cavan. Seán O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor and Brian Ó Beaglaioch are all back in the starting line-up after being sidelined for Advertisement Paudie Clifford, who was also absent last time, is named among the subs for the visit of the Breffni to Killarney. But Paul Geaney is still out and Tony Brosnan is another notable player missing. The team shows five changes in total as Brosnan, Micheál Burns, Killian Spillane, Mark O'Shea and Tadhg Morley are replaced by the returning trio, Seán O'Brien and Conor Geaney. Dublin, meanwhile, have kept faith with Advertisement Read More On GAA Cian Hernon has been included in the Galway team for Sunday's trip to Down. Conor Flaherty also retains his place in goal. The In hurling, Dónal Burke has been passed fit enough to be named on the Dublin bench for tomorrow's All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Limerick. There are two changes to the starting side from the win over Kildare, with Conor Burke and Andrew Dunphy given the nod as Paddy Dunleavy and John Hetherton drop to the bench. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Comment Treaty boss John Kiely has named an unchanged team for the Croke Park tie but there is one amendment to his list of subs. Fergal O'Connor is included instead of Shane O'Brien, who came off the bench and fired 1-2 in the Munster final penalty-shootout defeat to Cork. 'Just in time for Father's Day' - Dublin GAA legends welcome the birth of precious baby daughter KERRY (SFC v Cavan): S Ryan; P Murphy, J Foley, T O'Sullivan; B Ó Beaglaoich, M Breen, G White; J O'Connor, S O'Brien; D O'Connor, S O'Shea, G O'Sullivan; D Clifford, C Geaney, D Geaney. DUBLIN (SFC v Cork): S Cluxton; T Clancy, S MacMahon, D Byrne; B Howard, J Small, L Gannon; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, C Kilkenny; K McGinnis, S Bugler, N Scully; P Small, C O'Callaghan, C Costello. Advertisement GALWAY (SFC v Down): C Flaherty; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, L Silke; D McHugh, S Kelly, C Hernon; P Conroy, J Maher; C Darcy, M Tierney, C McDaid; R Finnerty, S Walsh, M Thompson LIMERICK (SHC v Dublin): N Quaid; S Finn, D Morrissey, M Casey; D Byrnes, K Hayes, B Nash; A English, W O'Donoghue; G Hegarty, C Lynch, T Morrissey; A Gillane, A O'Connor, D Reidy. 1 Jack O'Connor saw his team lose by nine points in a shock upset last time out DUBLIN (SHC v Limerick): S Brennan; J Bellew, P Smyth, C McHugh; P Doyle, C Crummey, A Dunphy; C Burke, B Hayes; R McBride, F Whitely, C O'Sullivan; S Currie, R Hayes, D Ó Dúlaing. Advertisement

Irish Times

2 hours ago

• Irish Times

The Lions are in a no-lose position against Argentina, provided they don't actually lose

British & Irish Lions v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Friday, 8pm – Live on TG4 & Sky Sports Action A bad dress rehearsal doesn't necessarily begat a bad performance, much less a good one, and the grim British & Irish Lions expedition to New Zealand 20 years ago cannot be attributed to the soporific 25-all draw between the Lions and Argentina in Cardiff. But it sure as hell proved to be an ominous portent of things to come. Jonny Wilkinson's sixth penalty of the night in the eighth minute of injury-time salvaged a modicum of pride for the Lions, whose head coach Clive Woodward rested captain Brian O'Driscoll and others, with Lawrence Dallaglio on the bench. Still, to put that draw in context, Los Pumas were missing 25 players through club commitments and their inexperienced side, captained by current head coach Felipe Contepomi , were given little or no hope of causing a famous upset. Two decades on, the Lions play a match in Ireland for the first time ever in what is, again, primarily a moneymaking venture which is understood to be generating around €4 million for the brand, with the last of the remaining tickets (priced from €148) selling out on Thursday. Ultimately, Friday evening's non-capped international, though historic, will be a footnote in history. READ MORE So, once more, the Lions are in something of a no-lose position – well, provided they don't actually lose – for this is again a scratch side missing 15 of its squad due to club commitments and injuries, including 10 from bulk suppliers Leinster. Even so, the presence of Maro Itoje as captain adds to the desire for these Lions to set a stronger benchmark than was the case in 2005, not least as his partnership with Tadhg Beirne could be a Test partnership in the making, as well as roommates. There's plenty of power and ball-carrying ballast in the front and back rows, the Northampton/England halfback pairing of Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith will have fond memories of their last visit here seven weeks ago, and ditto their Saints team-mates Tommy Freeman, who looks a likely Test starter, and Henry Pollock, for whom an impact role could well be a pointer to the Test series. Lions captain Maro Itoje during Thursday's session at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph:Any backline with Bundee Aki and Sione Tuipulotu doubling up in midfield shouldn't be lacking in oomph. The general expectation is that they will ultimately duel for the Test 12 jersey, although if they become a combination you'd wonder who'd fill that role in the midweek games. Either way, this looks liken being a searching examination for the 23-year-old Pampas centre Justo Piccardo – who made his Test debut at the Aviva Stadium against Ireland last November off the bench – wearing the 12 jersey donned by Contepomi in Cardiff 20 years ago. Two decades on, one of the greatest overseas players to ever decorate Irish provincial rugby is back in familiar terrain, Contepomi having assembled a makeshift Pumas squad for their first game and first week's training in seven months, whereas this Lions team were training in Portugal last week. The brilliant Toulouse utility back Juan Cruz Mallia and Bordeaux Bègles lock Guido Petti are among those Pumas involved in the Top 14 playoffs this weekend, while props Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela are also missing. Contepomi's starting team retains nine of the starting XV which lost 22-19 to Ireland last November and 13 of both that matchday squad and the one against France the following week in their most recent outing. That core were also part of the Rugby Championship sides that secured wins over all three southern hemisphere rivals in the same campaign for the first time ever, helping them rise to fifth in the world rankings. It's a measure of this game's importance to Los Pumas and Contepomi that he has assembled a relatively experienced side sprinkled with hardened Test match players in the captain and hooker Julian Montoya, La Rochelle tighthead Joel Sclavi, flanker Pablo Matera and fullback Santiago Carreras. Los Pumas are invariably playing for a cause. Back in 2005, they were seeking entry into the 2005 Tri Nations but generally, as here, playing for Argentina is sufficient motivation, especially as the Lions have only granted them three meetings since their sole tour of the country in 1927. Tadhg Furlong during Thursday's Captain's Run. Photograph:However, this week also marks the 60th anniversary of a famous 11-6 victory over the Junior Springboks in Ellis Park on June 19th, 1965, a landmark win which effectively gave birth to Los Pumas. Furthermore, one of the heroes of that day, Arturo Rodríguez Jurado, aka El Trompa (The Trumpet) passed away last Sunday at the age of 81. The UAR (Union Argentina de Rugby) described him as one of the country's most outstanding players. 'They're a well-drilled, well organised team that's been playing some fantastic rugby, certainly over the last 18 months,' acknowledged Andy Farrell. 'Fifth in the world and beating everyone in their path shows where they're at. We realise as well just how special this is for them and what a privilege it is to be here at the Aviva with the Lions playing their first game in Ireland. It's a special occasion and it's great they're coming to the party.' Despite the extortionate ticket pricing and hotel gouging, the plentiful sightings of Lions tops around town on Thursday was a reminder how much the team means to rugby fans and despite the novelty of this fixture, the 'home' support should be significant. The Pumas also has a relatively callow-looking bench, with 23-year-old loosehead Bautista Bernasconi, hooker Boris Wenger (22) and scrumhalf Simon Benítez Cruz (25) are all wearing the distinctive blue and white hooped Pumas jersey for the first time. By contrast, as well as being out to make an early statement ahead of the Oz odyssey, Pierre Schoeman, Rónan Kelleher and Tadhg Furlong bring way more international experience, and what Pollock lacks in that he makes up for in his electric energy. All in all, it will be a surprise and even a slight disappointment if the Lions don't board Saturday's long-haul flight to Perth with something of a statement win under their belts. LIONS: Marcus Smith (England); Tommy Freeman (England), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), Bundee Aki (Ireland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland); Fin Smith (England), Alex Mitchell (England); Ellis Genge (England), Luke Cowan-Dickie (England), Finlay Bealham (Ireland); Maro Itoje (England, capt), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tom Curry (England), Jac Morgan (Wales), Ben Earl (England). Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (Ireland), Pierre Schoeman (Scotland), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Scott Cummings (Scotland), Henry Pollock (England), Tomos Williams (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Mack Hansen (Ireland). ARGENTINA: Santiago Carreras (Gloucester); Rodrigo Isgró (Harlequins), Lucio Cinti (Saracens), Justo Piccardo (Pampas), Ignacio Mendy (Benetton); Tomás Albornoz (Benetton), Gonzalo García (Zebre Parma); Mayco Vivas (Gloucester), Julian Montoya (Leicester, capt), Joel Sclavi (La Rochelle); Franco Molina (Exeter Chiefs), Pedro Rubiolo (Bristol Bears); Pablo Matera (Honda Heat), Juan Martin Gonzalez (Saracens), Joaquin Oviedo (Perpignan). Replacements: Bautista Bernasconi (Benetton), Boris Wenger (Dogos XV), Francisco Coria Marchetti (Brive), Santiago Grondona (Bristol Bears), Joaquin Moro (Pampas), Simón Benitez Cruz (Tarucas), Matias Moroni (Brive), Santiago Cordero (Connacht). Referee: James Doleman (NZR). Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Andrea Piardi (FIR) TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR) Head-to-head: 1910 – Argentina 3 Lions 28. 1927 – Argentina 3 Lions 37; Argentina 0 Lions 46; Argentina 3 Lions 34; Argentina 0 Lions 43. 1936 – Argentina 0 Lions 23. 2005: Lions 25 Argentina 25. Betting: 1-10 Lions, 30-1 Draw, 13-2 Argentina. Handicap odds (Argentina +15pts) 10/11 Lions, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 Argentina. Forecast: Lions to win and cover the handicap.

RTÉ News​

2 hours ago

• RTÉ News​

Shane Walsh confident he's found his flow after injury issues

Shane Walsh believes that Galway played their best football of the year in the second half of their comeback win over Armagh and is hopeful they are hitting the high notes as the season enters its crescendo. Trailing by eight points at half-time in Kingspan Breffni, while Dublin and Derry were deadlocked in Newry, the prognosis looked grim for last year's All-Ireland finalists, who were in danger of exiting the All-Ireland championship in abject fashion. However, they rallied superbly in the third quarter, essentially wiping out the deficit by the 50th minute. "We went in at half-time knowing that they'd probably been a bit hot (on shooting) but we probably weren't executing our chances," Walsh said at the All-Ireland SFC knockout launch. "I think we were shot-for-shot (with them) in the first half. They might have had one extra shot. "We were saying we had the chances but Pádraic (Joyce) obviously wanted us to up the level and just bring a bit more intensity in the second half. It never felt like we were gone." The 2022 All-Star found his flow against Armagh after two relatively subdued and uneven performances against Dublin and Derry. While he slipped home a terrific individual goal in Celtic Park, Walsh was on the bench for the closing stages as Galway desperately scrambled to rescue their season. In Cavan, he racked up 0-07 from play - and 0-10 in total - in a bravura performance, putting the improved display down to re-discovering his confidence in front of goal after his injury issues. "When you come back from an injury in the middle of the year, it can be hard because you're chasing. The lads are moving at a certain level and there's a certain synchronisation that they have. "It's tough going and you're probably taking shots that you normally would score, you'd feel. But they're not coming off for you maybe because you haven't had that repetition or you haven't had that time that the rest of them have. "Then it can knock you. You can go into your shell a bit I suppose. I definitely felt that probably in the Dublin and Derry games a bit. "It was just great to have that backing of the lads in the dressing room to say to me like 'we back you no matter what' "And basically, that it's not a good thing for us if you're on the field and you're not taking the shots." One-to-one conversations with his manager - who was himself previously relied upon to get scores - were also a help in him recovering his form. "Having one-to-one meetings with Pádraic helped. People probably don't see that side of him too often in the media. He's quite black and white I suppose "But then when you get underneath it, you get, I suppose, the reminder that he was a player himself and he obviously had... well he probably didn't have too many confidence issues... "But at the same time he kind of passed on a couple of things to me. It stood to me going into the weekend." Joyce, characteristically blunt in his post-match interview, said Walsh's performance had been "outstanding" but that it was also "a long time coming, to be honest." The Galway manager has acquired a reputation for being unusually forthright about his players' performance in the media, famously passing up the opportunity to explain away the early substitutions of Walsh and Rob Finnerty in the league loss to Dublin as being due to slight injury niggles. "They missed about 2-10 between them," has since gone down as one of the more memorable quotes of Joyce's long period at the helm. "You'd probably be humoured by it as opposed to actually anything else," Walsh says. "Because you don't really see the Pádraic that we see all the time. You just see what he says to ye (the media). "We'd nearly be laughing and joking about it. He could be saying things about us to the media. And sure, we know where he's coming from. It's not as if we'd be saying that's a personal attack or anything like that." Are they nearly immune to it, at this stage? "I wouldn't say we're immune to it. We have to listen to him at the end of the day. He is the gaffer. But you know where he's coming from." Walsh indicates that Joyce's demeanour at half-time in the Armagh game showed how he had evolved over his time in charge. Whereas in his first two years, he might have been in teacup-throwing mood, on Saturday, the Galway boss was relatively composed in the dressing room. "His first minute or two was just to get a few things across and then the rest was just about bringing belief and confidence into the group. He's been doing that, in particular, since the Derry game. "We probably felt the two games that we played (in the group), we weren't getting to a level and confidence wasn't high. Whereas he was constantly reminding us how good we can be." The draw has thrown up a first championship meeting between Galway and Down since the 1971 All-Ireland semi-final. Walsh returns to a venue which was enveloped in a thick layer of fog the last time he played there - the 2024 All-Ireland club semi-final - and faces off against a manager in Conor Laverty who he last encountered when he was a selector for Cavan. "I remember he was eating the head off me against Cavan when we were playing them back in the league a couple of years ago. "Then, he came out smiling, giving me a hug after the game. I was like, I didn't know what to make of you about half an hour ago. You would have met him from time to time as well at different things. Nice fella." Either way, it's all knockout stages from here. No need to consider the permutations which Galway supporters were keeping a constant track of last weekend. When Galway were well behind against Armagh, it looked like their best bet was a Dublin victory and a score difference foot race with Derry. Were the players aware of the lie of the land in the second half? "I think management were. We weren't though. I remember asking along the sideline at one stage what the score was (in Newry). "They said, 'never mind, just win the game.'"