HOLLYWOOD, California – Callum Walsh knows it matters that he’ll appear on tonight’s WWE Raw broadcast, that TKO head Dana White has taken such an interest in him and that Freddie Roach is in his corner.

For Ireland’s Walsh, 24, to realize the ambition of the fighter he’s out to become, however, he needs to act like none of it matters.

“You get hype online, and that’s just it – people think it’s just the hype train that Dana White’s behind, with Freddie Roach training,” Walsh told BoxingScene in an exclusive interview last week at Roach’s famed Wild Card Boxing Club.

“But there’s a reason for all that. People don’t just hype up everyone they see. So I like to go out there and prove to people that I am legit. I like to prove things to myself. I’ve had that in my mind since I was very young, that I’m a legit fighter and that I’ll be one of the best in the world.”

Walsh, 24, is off to a 12-0 start with 10 knockouts, and Sunday he returns to headline his third card at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater, a St. Patrick’s Day-eve affair that will draw an expected capacity crowd against Scotland’s Dean Sutherland 19-1 (7 KOs).

The treatment of Walsh, ranked the No. 6 junior-middleweight contender by both the WBC and IBF, is special, considering it follows the unforgettable St. Patrick’s Day pro debut of Ireland’s Michael Conlan in 2017 at the MSG Theater, an event that saw Conlan accompanied by the flamboyant former UFC champion Conor McGregor, who used the platform to talk up his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather Jnr later that year.

“I remember that – I know it’s good to have the hype,” Walsh said. “I feel I’ve proven I’m a legit contender, not only a prospect with some hype behind him. I want to prove I’m ready for the next step.”

Walsh promoter Tom Loeffler said the path before Walsh will prove that following his second-round knockout disposals of his past two foes, in California and a homecoming event in Ireland.

“We’ve clearly established Callum as the fastest rising star in boxing,” Loeffler said. “Sometimes, I forget he’s only 24 with just 12 fights. He’s taken so well to Freddie’s training, beating solid opponents, selling out 5,000 seats in Ireland and stopping a guy who’d never been stopped before.

“Dean Sutherland is another good test, a guy coming to win. We’re not going to rush Callum, he’s never turned down an opponent. He’ll get a title shot within the next two years, and there’s some great matchups for him at 154 pounds, and as he goes to headline MSG for the third time, we’re going to plant the flag for St. Patrick’s Day at MSG for many years to come. This is another step in that direction.” 

Loeffler said he expects Walsh to fight three or four more times this year on White’s UFC Fight Pass, the strong viewership revealing not just popularity but the authenticity of Walsh’s commitment to the sport and pleasing his audience.

Walsh said he’s crossed paths with Sutherland sparring others during his years at Wild Card, and cracked that if he can get him out of there early, as well, it will mean he can, “Get to the pub faster.”

He laughed heartily at the line, a nod to knowing that while some in his fan base might get a kick out of hearing that, he hasn’t had a sip of alcohol this year because, “I’m more mature, trying to focus and get to the top. Let’s see how the fight goes.

“My fans show up to see a fight, not to watch 10 rounds of tip-toeing around. I don’t care if I lose a fight, as long as I put on a good show for the fans, fights they want to see.

“I don’t want them to show up because they like me. I want them to show up because they know I’m going to put up a fight, that they know they’ll be entertained and get their money’s worth. The plan is to stay active. My last two fights have only been two rounds … it keeps going like that, I can be back in the ring next week.”

Roach is pleased with Walsh’s attention to detail and his drive to become a force in a division that stands as the most talented in boxing with champions Terence Crawford, unified Sebastian Fundora, Bakhram Murtazaliez along with unbeaten Vergiul Ortiz Jnr, Walsh promotional stablemate Serhii Bohachuk and former champions Israil Madrimov and Tim Tszyu.

“The most improvement has come in his defense. He might take a punch, but he comes right back with firepower. He doesn’t mind exchanges because he likes to show them he’s better than they are,” Roach said.

Preparing for the recent fights has given Roach valuable time to emphasize the finer detail of training points, “to fine-tune him and bring out the best in him.

“We’re definitely ready for [Sutherland].”

Given Walsh’s connection to White since the day they were introduced by Loeffler on the fighter’s 21st birthday, it would seem Walsh is strongly positioned to play a prominent role in White’s new role as the architect of Turki Alalshikh’s investment in the Endeavor Group’s company TKO, which is planning a league and an emphasis on developing talent that will shape the sport in years to come.

“They haven’t discussed plans with me, other than when and where I’m fighting,” Walsh said. “I’m sure they have plans and have discussed it. I’d look forward to being that guy.

“It seems like a good idea bringing that UFC model into boxing with tournaments. That’s how I grew up fighting in the amateurs. We’d fight twice in a weekend, or three straight. When I won the European gold medal, I fought one day after the other – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and weighed in every single day. I would do it no problem.”

Loeffler, too, will be closely tied to TKO. It bodes so well that Walsh has that backing in place.

“Dana’s been completely supportive of Callum since we took him there on his birthday … he’s very happy with how things are going,” Loeffler said.

“We’ll see some big things now with Dana, TKO and their leverage … Callum’s definitely going to be a big part of that TKO group. We’re definitely excited, building the next generation of fighters.

“We know anything Dana White gets involved with – with the leverage they have in television deals, sponsorship deals, arena deals – you’ll see a great impact and positive influence on the sport of boxing the more involved Dana gets.”

This is, again, one of those subjects that Walsh knows exists, but feels his time is better spent focused on the grind of his career.

“When the time comes to fight, I’ll be ready. I’m going to stay in the gym, stay ready, and never be caught [unprepared],” he said.

Residing at Wild Card, leaning on the teachings of Roach, is the best place to do so.

“Looking around here, seeing the pictures on the wall, knowing how many champions have been here. It’s the best gym in the world, and Freddie’s the best coach in the world,” Walsh said.

“There’s so much experience and the sparring is so good – you never know who’s going to walk in. Every day, I spar someone new. You take advantage of everything.”

Two of those former sparring partners are Ortiz Jnr and Murtazaliev.

“I’m not picking out or targeting anyone. Anyone they put in front of me, I’ll fight,” Walsh said. “I don’t have any problem with any of them. Best man wins. I know sparring and fighting is something different. Obviously, I back myself. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities. I like the idea of being in those big fights. It’s what I’ve always wanted since I was 6 years old. Win, lose or draw, I’ll put up a fight.”