Bradley keen to get back inside the ropes

OMAGH’S Callum Bradley last fought professionally during the big Feile event at Falls Park in Belfast during August 2021.

That evening, he produced arguably the best performance of his fledgling career, beating Stefan Nicolae on points on a 40-35 scoreline to back up previous victories over Michael Horabin, Jose Fernandez, Rafael Castillo and Jose Agillar.

Things were looking up for the then 22 year-old, but he was soon left in limbo four months before the infamous MTK company folded as his contract was not renewed and he decided to take a measured approach ahead of his next move.

Unfortunately for the now 25-year-old featherweight, his patience hasn’t, as yet, been rewarded with a return to the ring.

However, after teaming up with renowned Belfast trainer, Dee Walsh, Bradley is confident fight fans will get to see him back in action sooner rather than later.

“I’ve been up with Dee since November, so I travel up to Belfast to train with him,” explained the Tyrone pugilist. “It’s been great to train with him because he’s a smart coach. We’ve been gelling well and I think he’s helped improve me. Some of the stuff he’s been saying when we’re in the ring, doing pads, it really makes sense.”

With Walsh’s instruction and his own dedication to his craft, which he has honed rigorously over the last three years, Bradley believes that we will see a much improved fighter when he returns to action, hopefully early this year.

“I never got out of shape, I never stopped training. I was over in Portugal last year training and I actually feel that I’m a far better fighter than I was,” he explained.

“I’m looking forward to showing that, I’m actually more excited than that than anything else. I want people to say ‘that guy has got better’!”

In order to do that, Bradley needs to get back in the ring, which is why he is hopeful of signing with a new management team in the very near future.

“I’ve been taking my time to find the right manager – which I still haven’t done yet but I’m having conversations,” he added. “I didn’t want to rush into anything, I wanted to take my time to make sure I made the right decision because you know what the boxing business is like!

“I’m waiting to see what’s coming up. I’m having a few conversations, which will probably take a wee bit more time but I’ve waited this long so there’s no point rushing now!

“But I’m aware that time is ticking, I know I need to get back into the ring. I’m 25 years old with a 5-0 record, which a lot of people would take your hands off for but obviously I want to fight.

“But it’s not like I’ve been away and I’ve got out of shape, I’ve been learning and training and taking my time.

“I’ve had a few managers texting me but nothing has really progressed, but hopefully that will change and I get the chance to show people I’m better than I was during this half of the year.”