Unbeaten teenager Callum Dan wins second professional boxing title
It was another day to remember for the teenager from Plymouth, who headlined his second show in a row, this time, Highland Boxing Promotion’s No Holds Barred at The World Siam stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Callum Dan stepped into the ring against Poramin Saengpak as the away fighter, a fact that didn’t look to phase him whatsoever as the respective national anthems for both fighters played ahead of the first bell. In his eighth professional bout, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Youth Super Middleweight title was on the line, another potential title to add to his collection - all the preparation had been done before Callum had even arrived in Bangkok.
At just 16, Callum had already won the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) Silver Middleweight Championship, and less than a year later, aged just 17, has won his second professional title with the OPBF. The likes of Manny Pacquiao and Naoya Inoue held OPBF titles early in their careers before capturing the attention of the world.
Callum showed his skill against his opponent who boasted 23 wins, with 18 of those inside the distance. Saengpak was unpredictable and awkward, with Callum showing patience and relying on his jab and movement throughout the fight. His power showed, as he caught Saengpak with a flurry, and forced a count from the referee half way through the third round. Less than fifteen seconds later, it was a short left hook that sent Saengpak to his knees, ending the fight with him visibly hurt.
This fight saw Callum step up two weight divisions from his last fight, a deliberate move by his team to broaden his experience and test him against a new class of opponent. After the fight, Callum was challenged by Thai fighter who stepped into the ring, with Callum stating “I’m ready to fight anybody.”
Thailand has become somewhat of a second home for Callum; this was his seventh professional fight in Thailand, with all coming of them coming inside the distance. Callum will make the long journey home, take a short break, and get back to his training in anticipation of his next challenge, whether that be Thailand or elsewhere.
With family and friends from across the world watching him win online, he continues his journey, breaking records along the way, as he gets ever closer to his goal of fighting in front of a home UK crowd in 2027.
Fight video: https://youtu.be/foLDHb1YWJA?si=TVGqpa61ywvRX-ho
