Corkman Callum Walsh dreaming of Páirc Uí Chaoimh world title shot ahead of second Madison Square Garden bout

Callum Walsh says he wants to fight in front of his Irish fans next after an upcoming bout against an as yet unconfirmed opponent at Madison Square Garden on 15 March.

The Cobh man defended his WBC USA Silver Super Welterweight Title at the iconic New York City venue against Ismael Villarreal in November, bringing his 100% professional record to nine wins, seven of which have come by knockout.

Trained by the legendary Freddie Roach and backed by UFC president Dana White, Walsh says that his ultimate aim is to get back to Ireland to fight, with a contest in his native county the ultimate dream.

"I'm going to be one of the first fighters in a long time to headline Madison Square Garden twice in the space of four months," he said on RTÉ's Game On.

"At such a young age too. I'll be 23 in February... it's crazy. After that I want to come home and fight in Ireland.

"Dana White wants me to fight in Ireland. I want to fight in Ireland, so I think we can make it happen."

Roach, who was trained 36 world champions, took on the 22-year-old three years ago after he flew to the United States looking for someone to take him to the next level.

"I went to LA when I was 20-years-old and just showed up at Freddie's gym, knocked on the door, and asked him if I could train," said Walsh.

"It was the middle of Covid and he wasn't taking on any fighters, he didn't want to train anyone else. He told me that if I wanted to train I had to spar on my very first day.

"He wanted to see what I was made of so I went in and sparred with one of the pros [Blair Cobbs] there and he told me to come back tomorrow."

Pushed on who he might come up against on home soil, should he win another bout in New York, Walsh added: "For me it doesn't matter who I fight. I don't