Ahead of his European title battle with Igor Mikhalkin on May 2’s action-packed Whyte-Povetkin bill, Callum Johnson says he is looking to propel himself into top-tier contention with an eye-catching victory.
Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs) challenged Artur Beterbiev for the IBF World Light-Heavyweight Title in the first ever live show on American soil on DAZN, and the pair put on a hell-raising shootout – with Johnson climbing off the canvas in the opening round to send Beterbiev to the deck in the second session.
After falling short in his maiden World title shot, ‘The One’ took out Sean Monaghan in three rounds at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in March 2019, but that turned out to be his only fight of the year. The 34-year-old is keen to put a disappointing injury-hit year behind him by winning the European crown.
Mikhalkin (23-2, 10 KOs) held the European Light-Heavyweight Title for two years, winning the vacant title against Mohamed Belkacem in 2014 before making three successful defences against Hakim Chioui, Hugo Kasperski and Patrick Bois – all in France.
“He’s a good tough fighter,” said Johnson. “It’s a tough fight for me, he’s a solid southpaw, he’s been European Champion before and he lost to Kovalev when Kovalev was still top of his game. I’m expecting a very hard fight but it’s a fight that I’m looking forward to and I’m confident I can win.
“2019 got off to a flying start, I got a good win out in America and I impressed a lot of people with that performance. It’s a shame that I got injured because I think 2019 would have been a brilliant year for me. It didn’t turn out to be my year but we go again.
“To win the British, Commonwealth and European Titles will be a fantastic achievement and I’m confident of getting the win on May 2. It’s a fight that I’ve got to win. If I win then it potentially opens massive doors for me to get another World Title shot and earn some big money. If I lose, it’s a big setback.”