How exciting is Callum Peters as a fighter?
Well, even Paul Gallen would pay to watch ‘The Next Anthony Mundine’ throw down.
And given Gal’s fairly, err, infamous love of money — and specifically, keeping it in his pocket — you’ll get the gravitas of him offering to shell out for a Peters pay-per-view.
Which is exactly what the NSW Origin great said this week.
Explaining how there are so many young fighting studs on the undercard of his Sydney crossover showdown against Nelson Asofa-Solomona … well, you could take his fight away and he would still “buy it just to watch them”.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
Of course, Gallen’s undercards have long been where promoters No Limit put their most hyped prospects – including once, a young Tim Tszyu.
So when asked after Wednesday’s press conference about Peters – who faces Venezuelan Juan Diego Ortiz in the co-main – Gal praised the unbeaten middleweight prospect, still only 23.
Better, it’s understood that should Peters win what will be his fifth professional fight this year, another exciting match up has already been sorted for him on the huge December stadium show where both Tszyu and Liam Wilson will be fighting for world titles.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the rising star confirmed his eagerness to win Friday and then turn around within weeks for a staggering sixth bout this year.
“Oh, I’m down to boogie,” he grinned.
The unbeaten middleweight 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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Quizzed on turning around by December, the fighter who also wants to headline in his hometown of Adelaide in 2027 continued: “Look, I’d like to fight every month if possible … fight 12 times a year.
“This year across pro and amateurs, I’ve had about 40 fights.
“So I’m always active. Always training.
“There is never any ‘off’ with me.
“And if I do come through Friday night’s fight with no injuries, no cuts, I’ll be fine for December.
“The only problem is finding an opponent.”
It’s understood No Limit already has that sorted.
Asked if Peters would try to cement that December spot by chasing a quick finish, he continued: “Look, so long as I don’t put myself in risky positions, fight smart, I’ll be fine.
“This guy, he can hit hard.
“And it only takes one shot to f*** your day up.
“But I know where I shouldn’t put my head.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
“Same as I know when you have to put your hands up, and tread (carefully) when you have to.”
Certainly, Gal is a fan.
Quizzed this week on which undercard fighter excites him most, the NRL premiership great replied: “It’s funny you say that because I was just thinking about it … and I would buy this card.
“If I wasn’t on it, I’d buy this card just to watch all the undercard fights.
“Like Callum, who I met for the first time at Tim Tszyu’s last fight.
“He’s an out there guy, really good fella.
“And Paulo Aokuso, he’s a weapon. I love watching him fight and he’s got swagger about him too.
“Plus, Ahmad Reda, I can’t wait to watch him fight, either. I’d buy this card just to watch those guys.”