Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

It’s Callum Walsh time again. Tomorrow (Saturday, June 21) Walsh (pictured on the left) faces Elias Espadas, a tough hombre from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

But first, let’s take another look at what happened in Japan a few days ago.

They call him Assassin.

Brian Normanl traveled overseas to meet Jin Sasaki in Japan in defense of the WBO welterweight. He came, he saw, he conquered by knockout on Thursday.

Norman (28-0, 22 KOs) needed only five rounds to calculate the attacking rhythms of Sasaki (19-2-1, 17 KOs) in a battle between knockout punchers in Tokyo.

A counter left hook blasted Sasaki after a lukewarm jab to the body by the Japanese warrior. Bad mistake. Norman instantly caught Sasaki with his hands down and fired a left hook hammer to the jaw.

No need to count.

The hard-hitting Norman floored Sasaki three times total. The Japanese fighter was no petunia. Only two of Sasaki’s wins escaped without a concussion. But the world witnessed what many Americans had already seen before; the Georgia fighter packs titanium in his fists.

When Norman, 24, beat the talented Giovani Santillan a year ago by knockout, that described everything anyone needs to know about the talent wielded in the fighter from Georgia.

Watch out for this guy.

Callum and Friends at Chumash 

Another young gun, Callum Walsh (13-0, 11 KOs), returns to the boxing ring on Saturday at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. Walsh, (pictured on the left), faces a foe who doesn’t know fear in Mexico’s Elias Espadas (23-6-1, 16 KOs) UFC Fight Pass will stream the 360 Boxing Promotions card.

Ireland’s Walsh, who trains in Los Angeles with Freddie Roach, has been rocketing toward the top of the super welterweight standings with his aggressive take-no-prisoners approach.

The southpaw from Cork, Ireland, has yet to meet any opposition that could offer doubts of Walsh’s talent. Perhaps the closest anyone came to stiffly resisting took place two years ago in New York city when Ismael Villarreal won a few rounds and lost on points.

Walsh has not faltered.

Espadas may provide the biggest test for Walsh. The Mexican likes fighting guys with power; that’s his game. He has exchanged bombs with Puerto Rico’s Xander Zayas, Ukraine’s Fiodor Czerkaszyn and Kazakhstan’s Sadridden Akhmedov. He fought to a majority draw with Akhmedov.

“I feel that I beat Akhmedov and should have gotten the decision. On June 21, I’m going to beat another undefeated fighter, Callum Walsh,” said Espadas.

Walsh likes the challenge.

“He’s (Espadas) got a very good trainer in Manny Robles so I know he will be prepared. This is a tough fight and that’s what I want. I’m getting better with every fight and I want to prove how good I am,” said Walsh during media day at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Calif.

There are other top fighters in the 360 Boxing organization taking part on this Saturdays boxing card.

Undefeated light heavyweight Umar Dzambekov (11-0, 8 KOs) meets Columbia’s Roamer Angulo (28-3, 23 KOs) in an eight-round affair. Its not an easy fight for Dzambekov who meets a veteran in Angulo who fought Edgar Berlanga and David Benavidez. It’s a very stiff test for Dzambekov.

“Roamer Angulo is a very good fighter with a lot of experience fighting numerous world champions and top contenders. However, I feel full of confidence after my last fight ending in a first-round knockout and look forward to being victorious,” Dzambekov said.

Undefeated Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco (4-0) seeks to add to her resume when she meets veteran Celene Roman in a featherweight contest. Both are veterans in their own way. Roman has been a pro for more than a decade, and Verduzco, though still in her early 20s, has plenty of ring experience as an amateur including several national titles. Don’t be confused by her looks, she can fight.

Yafai’s Test in Birmingham

Olympic gold medalist Galal Yafai has no time to waste at age 32, he’s racking up wins and challenges in a hurry.

Yafai (9-0, 7 KOs) meets Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (39-6-1, 27 KOs) on Saturday June 21, at Birmingham, England. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Rodriguez is a two-time world title challenger who went the distance with Junto Nakatani and Kazuto Iota in Japan. Facing firepower is nothing new for Rodriguez. It’s a very interesting challenge for Yafai who has all the tools necessary to win a world title. Now he faces his biggest test yet.

Jersey Boy

New Jersey’s middleweight Vito “White Magic” Mielnicki Jr. (20-1-1, 12 KOs) faces Poland’s Kamil Gardzielik (19-0, 4 KOs) on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. ESPN+ will stream the Top Rank card.

Fights to Watch  (all times Pacific Time)

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Galal Yafai (9-0) vs Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (39-6-1).

Sat. ESPN+ 2:30 p.m. Vito Mielnicki (20-1-1) vs Kamil Gardzielik (19-0).

Sat. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Callum Walsh (13-0) vs Elias Espadas (23-6-1).

Photo credit: Lina Baker

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