IT WAS not exactly a coming out party, which most had probably anticipated, but rather a more laboured display that saw Callum Walsh outpoint Fernando Vargas Jr.
The 24-year-old, who has worked with Dana White since his professional debut, is poised to become the poster boy of his promoter’s TKO Boxing venture.
Based on his performance against Vargas, 17-1 (15 KOs), however, it remains clear that ‘King’ is by no means the finished product at 154lbs.
There was barely a whisker to separate the two southpaws in the opening round, though a more assertive approach was perhaps enough for Walsh, 15-0 (11 KOs), to inch his nose in front.
Plenty of feinting and posturing, from both fighters, then unfolded in the following three minutes, before Vargas began to establish his rhythm in an equally uneventful third frame.
Walsh, meanwhile, continued to target his opponent’s body, and just as it seemed that Vargas was taking control, it was the Irishman, in fact, who landed the more meaningful shots – switching his attention upstairs – in the fourth round.
In that same breath, though, it must also be said that neither man, at least by the midway point of their encounter, had done enough to cement their control in convincing fashion.
Even the hype-worthy power of Walsh could not kill the spirit of Vargas, whose chin – often placed in reckless positions – made for an inviting yet sturdy target.
If anything, Vargas was the one who seemed to be making noticeable inroads and, especially in the later rounds, his lead hand suddenly emerged as an effective tool.
But in the end, it was Walsh who came away with three rather bewilderingly wide scorecards of 100-90 and 99-91, twice.
Either way, their co-main event did little to elevate the excitement levels for Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford, which will soon take centre stage at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas.
