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Australian boxing sensation Callum Peters has been warned a lack of professional experience — which so far tallies less than seven minutes — will prove his undoing as he challenges Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech’s run to a world title.
Widely considered the Next Big Thing of Aussie boxing, 22-year-old Peters is looking to take his undefeated career start to four straight in Wednesday night’s Fox Sports boxing showcase in Brisbane – where he challenges tough New Zealander Marcus Heywood.
Despite going into the Brisbane Powerhouse event as an underdog, Hewyood is already penciled in to fight for the New Zealand middleweight title next month and, at 31, is convinced he has the experience required to upset Peters.
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Apart from being just three fights into his pro career, the young Aussie has never gone past the first round.
As an amateur however, the fighter dubbed ‘50 Cal’ boasts over 100 wins and is currently ranked the world’s No.1 middleweight on BoxRec.
His latest outing serves as the co-main to a big cruiserweight headliner between former IBO world champ Floyd Masson and John Parker, the younger brother of New Zealand heavyweight star Joseph Parker.
The winner of that bout is likely guaranteed a top 10 spot and, potentially, a world title eliminator in the division where Australia’s Jai Opetaia holds both the IBF and Ring crowns.
Peters, meanwhile, is looking to continue his own hyped rise in the sport.
Apart from his rapid rise in the pro ranks, the Adelaide product also has his sights set on becoming the first Aussie amateur to ever win gold at the IBA World Championships, which are being held in the UK this September.
Speaking about his client recently, No Limit promoter George Rose dubbed ‘50 Cal’ the country’s most avoided fighter, and even suggested he could get to a world title quicker than the legendary Fenech.
Yet after both fighters made weight on Tuesday, Heywood stressed he had no problem stepping up to face the man who so many others are ducking.
“As always mate,” grinned the Kiwi now readying for his 20th professional fight.
“I never shy away from a challenge and am happy to step up and take him on … see what he’s made of.”
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And as for his experience being a factor against a rival who, despite boasting a Commonwealth Games silver medal, and 2024 Olympic campaign, has never gone past the first round in three pro appearances?
“Oh, 100 per cent,” Heywood stressed.
“Of course it does.
“And anyone who (thinks otherwise) doesn’t know s*** about boxing.
“He’s young, he’s hungry, but I’ve seen it all.
“So we’ll see what he throws at me.”
Heywood weighed in at 76.1kg, with Peters slightly lighter at 75.5kg.
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia before his most recent win over Luca Lanigan in Cairns last month – fighting on the undercard of Australian favourite Liam Paro – Rose suggested Peters could be fighting for a world title within the next year.
“What Callum Peters is doing, it’s unprecedented,” Rose declared.
“This kid is such a special talent.
“I’m honestly talking about someone who we’ve never seen anything like before.
“A fighter who could win a world title in 18 months.
“Maybe 12 months.
“He just fights so differently to anyone else in his division.”
Asked on stage after Tuesday’s weigh-ins what was coming, the youngster grinned: “Oh yeah, the full 50 Cal … boom, boom, boom”.
Peters also stressed, however, that Heywood represented the toughest test of his brief professional career.
“I know Marcus is going to put a really good fight on,” he said.
“He’s going to bring a war.
“I’m excited.
“He’s fought some good boys, has credentials, so he can put me on the map in the pro boxing scene.
“This will go more than one round.”
But as for Peters still earning his fourth straight finish?
“Oh, I’ll try,” he grinned. “But we have to see what the game plan is going to be.
“He’s going to hit hard.
“Hit strong.
“But (a finish) is the mission”
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Elsewhere on the scales, Masson weighed in at 90.4kg, with Parker 89.5kg.
Having already won a national belt and regional titles, Parker said he was now readying to use Wednesday’s fight – for the IBF Pan Pacific strap – to catapult him into the division’s top 10.
“This is a huge opportunity,” Parker said.
“Massive respect to Floyd and his team but I’ve only just started collecting straps.
“Starting with the New Zealand belt, then the WBA … so I’m addicted to this and I’m after that IBF belt and Floyd is in my way.
“So I have to take care of business tomorrow.
“This fight means everything to me.
“It’s the biggest fight of my career.”
Masson, meanwhile, said he was ready to chase down another world title in what is a “must win” showdown.
“I have to win from now on,” he stressed.
“I want to win another world title and if you lose these types of fights, those world title shots ain’t gunna come.
“So this is a must win and we’re ready to go.
“I’m sure I’m going to make a statement on Wednesday night.”
Asked for a prediction, Masson replied: “War … clinic”.