He’s been branded ‘The Next Anthony Mundine’ – and Callum Peters has kept his hyped unbeaten career start alive in Sydney.
Widely considered the nation’s most exciting fight prospect, 23-year-old Peters earned a gutsy decision win over Venezuela’s Juan Diego Ortiz inside Tik Tok Arena.
On fight day, it was suggested promoters No Limit had already secured the unbeaten middleweight – in victory – a spot on their December 13 showcase at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.
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Certainly that option remains in play after the Adelaide prospect held strong through a tough 10-rounder to win on all three scorecards, in what fellow boxer Liam Paro described as the “toughest fight” of his career.
Judges gave him the fight 98-92, 97-93, 97-93.
There is a chance Peters will now back up in only weeks to feature on a showcase that will see Tim Tszyu look to make history against WBA middleweight champ Erislandy Lara.
Liam Wilson will also fight for gold on an undercard that also includes returning American superstar Jermell Charlo.
Regardless, No Limit have undeniably announced Peters as their next big star by doing with the youngster what they once did with a then rising Tim Tszyu – putting him on the undercard of a big Paul Gallen card.
The win was Peters’ fifth of the year, and he told Fox Sports Australia this week of his eagerness to turn around within weeks for a staggering sixth bout this year.
“Oh, I’m down to boogie,” he grinned.
The Adelaide product quickly added how grateful he was to be fighting on a Gallen undercard, well aware of the huge crossover audience that will be tuned in by the time he throws down.
But the real kicker?
“You got these boys fighting who play ball sports,” he grinned of the main event. “They’ve spent their lives passing, throwing, tackling.
“And then before them, there’s me … I can’t catch.”
Huh?
“My whole life has been about boxing,” he grinned. “I’m all about throwing hands, not passes …”
So you aren’t any good at any ball sports?
“Let’s just say I’m below average,” he continued, laughing now. “Although it really all depends on how switched on I am. Like if you give me a basketball, I’ll probably need about 10 minutes to warm up.
“But I’m definitely grateful to be here on the undercard of Gal’s last fight.
“The No Limit boys have been telling me, the more I do this the more eyes are gonna catch on me.
“I’ll get more fans in Australia, and eventually more fans around the world as well.”
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