Callum Walsh made quick work of Dean Sutherland on Sunday night.
The Irishman gave his countrymen another reason to celebrate with a sensational performance at the Madison Square Garden Theatre – one day before St. Patrick’s Day.
Walsh rendered his Scottish foe unconscious with a booming right hook that sent the capacity crowd into a frenzy.
On his way down, Sutherland’s head bounced off the canvas as he crumbled to his knees before hurtling backwards.
No count was needed, with referee Ricky Gonzalez waving off the action at 2 minutes and 45 seconds of the first round.
Walsh showed his class by taking a knee in the immediate aftermath rather than celebrating the brutal knockout.
“He was a great opponent,” Walsh said post-fight.
“I know at this weight, every opponent is going to be tough, and I keep getting stronger and better.
“I am destined to be one the best fighters in the world.”
The knockout improves Walsh’s record to 13-0 and marks his fourth straight stoppage victory in a row.
There is considerable hype surrounding the 24-year-old from Cork, who is trained by Manny Pacquiao‘s head coach Freddie Roach and promoted by Tom Loeffler, who shaped the careers of Gennady Golovkin and the Klitschko brothers – Vitali and Wladimir.
Loeffler says he is planning to get Walsh back out again in July on a bill in Los Angeles.
“That’s the great thing about UFC Fight Pass – we have all the dates mapped out,” Loeffler said.
“That means we can plan the arenas and plan the promotion properly.”
One fight Loeffler is targeting for his man is a scrap with highly-touted contender Xander Zayas – although he wants to let the match-up marinate first.
“They’re both undefeated, they can both build their legacy, build their fan base,” Loeffler said.
“I think that fight would be perfect for upstairs in the big arena.”
Another man supporting Walsh tirelessly throughout his career is UFC president Dana White.
The MMA mogul was ringside to witness Walsh’s stellar display and was one of the first to congratulate him on the edge of the ring.
White doesn’t appear to have an official role in Walsh’s camp, although he has been one of his most vocal supporters since he debuted on UFC Fight Pass back in 2021.
