Callum Walsh secured a win and then called out a familiar name.
Walsh won by technical decision on June 21, defeating Elias Espadas at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez. All three judges scored the bout 50-46 in favor of Walsh, who improved to 14-0 with 11 knockouts and retained a regional belt.
From the opening bell, the Ventura resident was sharp, consistently landing two- or three-punch combinations to the head of Espadas. The southpaw Walsh was effective in taking the initiative, keeping Espadas at bay with his accurate punching.
Espadas attempted to get on the inside of Walsh’s guard. Espadas found some success connecting to the body, but Walsh countered, connecting flush to the head and body of Espadas.
Towards the end of the second round, an accidental clash of heads opened a cut above the right eye of Walsh. Cutman Mike Rodriguez was able to stop the blood from oozing out of the cut, but blood reappeared in the fourth round.
After the start of the fifth round, the ringside physician looked at the cut and determined it too severe to allow the fight to continue. Referee Rudy Barragan waved the fight off at second of the round.
In a post-fight interview, Walsh called out Fernando Vargas Jr., the son of county legend Fernando Vargas.
“Fernando Vargas, you want this belt, come get it,” Walsh said. “You keep calling my name. Come get this belt. Let’s do it.”
Vargas (17-0, 15 KOs) called out Walsh after he knocked out Gonzalo Coria in his last bout on May 17.
A possible showdown between the two unbeaten junior middleweights could take place on the undercard of the Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford undisputed super middleweight championship fight on Sept. 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Walsh previously fought on March 16 in New York City, knocking out once-beaten Dean Sutherland in the opening round.
Espadas, who resides in Merida, Mexico, fell to 23-7-1, 16 KOs. In his previous fight on Dec. 7, 2024, Espadas knocked out journeyman Ramon Barajas.
Also on the card, promoted by Tom Loeffler, junior welterweight Cain Sandoval of Sacramento (16-0, 14 KOs) stopped Argentina’s Jonathan Eniz (36-23-1, 17 KOs) in the second round.
In junior bantamweight action, Daniel Barrera (9-1-1, 4 KOs) of Eastvale defeated Basilio Franco (10-4, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision. Scores were 79-73, 79-73 and 80-72 for Barrera, who is managed by Cafe Amri owner Ray Chaparro.
Featherweights Jenelyn Olsim and Jessica Radtke (1-2-2) fought to a majority decision draw. One judge scored the bout 39-37 for Olsim, while the other two judges submitted scorecards of 38-38.
Olsim, who resides in Santa Paula, was making her pro debut. She is trained by Joseph “Hoss” Janik in Ventura.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Callum Walsh wants shot at Fernando Vargas Jr. after latest victory
Reporting by Francisco A. Salazar / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
