In a night charged with energy at Madison Square Garden, broadcast to the world on UFC FIGHT PASS, Cork, Ireland’s ‘King’ Callum Walsh (9-0, 8 KOs) dazzled in a ten-round unanimous decision victory over Bronx’s own Ismael Villarreal (13-2, 9 KOs). The atmosphere was electric, fans hanging on every moment, proving once again why boxing nights in New York are something special.
The seven-fight card, a Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions affair, set the tone early. The crowd, never shy of making noise, was already in full swing from the first fight. Walsh, ascending the stairs with a warrior’s focus, was greeted by an arena split in loyalty but united in excitement. It was a scene of flags, cheers, and anticipation, setting the stage for a memorable night.
Walsh, trained by the legendary Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, demonstrated his craft against Villarreal. The Irish southpaw’s skills were on full display, gradually wearing down the valiant New Yorker. Villarreal, ever the warrior, managed a knockdown in the tenth – a surprising twist, but Walsh recovered quickly, a testament to his resilience.
The judges’ scores reflected Walsh’s dominance: 97-92, 97-92, and 96-93. Post-fight, Walsh’s words were those of a fighter who knows the path ahead. Acknowledging the toughness of the fight and his opponent, Walsh spoke of learning, adapting, and improving. True to the fighter’s spirit, he emphasized the importance of real challenges and the lessons they bring.
Promoter Tom Loeffler acknowledged Villarreal’s toughness, underscoring the significance of Walsh’s victory in front of a sold-out crowd. It was a night that undoubtedly pushed Walsh further into the spotlight.
On the undercard, Sacramento’s Cain Sandoval (11-0, 11 KOs) continued his impressive run in the junior welterweight division. His victory over Brooklyn’s Wesley Ferrer (17-2-1, 8 KOs) was nothing short of dominant, with the bout ending in the fifth round.
The light heavyweight bout between Umar Dzambekov (8-0, 5 KOs) and Frederic Julan (13-3, 10 KOs) was a tactician’s delight, marked by strategic use of uppercuts. No knockdowns, but a display of skill and heart over eight rounds.
Gor Yeristyan (17-0, 14 KOs) made his mark in the welterweight division, dropping Luis Alberto Veron (20-8-2, 9 KOs) in the third round, leading to a unanimous decision win. New York’s Brian Ceballo (16-1, 8 KOs) thrilled his home crowd with a fourth-round stoppage of Kenneth McNeil, while Los Angeles-based featherweight Omar Trinidad (14-0-1, 10 KOs) showcased his prowess with a first-round stoppage of Andrew Bentley (5-8, 1 KO).
Opening the night, super featherweight Feargal McCrory (15-0, 7 KOs) of Ireland secured a unanimous decision over Nikolai Buzolin (9-7-1, 5 KOs)