CORK’S Callum Walsh, 9-0 (7), makes his second consecutive appearance inside the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York on Friday when he takes on Brooklyn-based Kazakh, Dauren Yeleussinov. The super-welterweight clash is scheduled for 10 rounds with a minor WBC strap on the line.
Yeleussinov is the older brother of amateur standout Daniyar. Now 37, and with a record of 11-3-1 (10), the underdog has struggled for form and momentum since turning professional in 2014.
Walsh, 23 and based in Hollywood, has made better progress in the two years he has been a pro. In his previous contest, the fast-handed southpaw managed the 10-round distance for the first time when he widely outpointed Ismael Villarreal.
Yeleussinov is skilled but looks no match for Walsh, who we expect to score a stoppage in the second half of the contest.
Another Irish southpaw, light-heavyweight Joseph Ward, should also be favoured to win. He takes on fellow leftie, Derrick Webster of Glassboro in New Jersey, over eight rounds.
Webster, a pro since 2009, is now 41 years old and his record reads 29-4-1 (14). The American can still win at a certain level, but Ward, 10-1 (6), is several levels above that. The 30-year-old lost his debut, in 2019, due to a knee injury and can continue his progress here. Webster, only stopped once, is tough but may not hear the final bell this time.
Italy’s Giovanni Scuderi, a 29-year-old cruiserweight who measures 6ft 6ins, should also be favoured to extend his 9-0 (4) record against Kansas City’s Brandon Carmack, 7-3-2 (4).
