GALASHIELS boxer John ‘Johnboy’ McCallum is fighting Russian boxer Yury Kashinsky in London on Saturday July 23 2022 for the WBA Intercontinental title.

And he is urging his fans to book early and travel in numbers to cheer him on to victory.

6ft 2in Kashinsky has an impressive record with 20 wins, 18 by knockout and three defeats and he is currently in the top 10 in the world with both the WBA and WBC.

He is a former WBO Oriental champion, IBF international champion and Eurasian Boxing Parliament champion.

The 33 year-old fighter who still owns a house in Galashiels said: “I knew that I’d be fighting on July 23 but didn’t know who my opponent would be. So I have been training and I’m in good shape.

“I’ve actually rejected a few fights from people outside the top 50 because I want to achieve the best that I can in my career. I don’t want to be an ‘Instagram boxer’ I just want serious fights.

“Kashinsky will be a tough opponent. He has won 20 fights and 18 of them have been by knockout and he’s only lost three times.

Border Telegraph: Galashiels bover John McCallum

“But I am very confident and aim to take him out early. I feel cruiser weight suits me as in the past I have struggled to make the weight and felt that I left some of the goodness in the gym.

“I usually take 300-400 fans to my fights which is a great boost. If anyone wants to attend they can get in touch with me via my Instagram account @johnmccallumjnr

McCallum who is sponsored by Galashiels company A.C Roads and Driveways had been due to fight for the IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight title fight against Kazakhstan fighter Issa Akberbayev last year but it was called off at the last minute.

A planned fight against Andrew Tabiti who is in the Mayweather camp for a world title eliminator scheduled to take place in Las Vegas on 18-December at the Mandalay Bay was also cancelled due to COVID-19 vaccination regulations.

McCallum who has a 13-2 record controversially lost to Olympic gold medallist Evgeny Tishchenko in a WBO Cruiserweight Championship fight in Russia in 2020 and is keen to fix up a return match.

He added: “My aim is to get a rematch with (Evgeny) Tishchenko. I’m desperate to fight him again.

“If I’d been knocked out cleanly then fair enough but I was hit by his shoulder and I was up at six ready to carry on, but the referee ended it. I’m still annoyed about that fight.”

The fight will take place at the Woodside Leisure Centre in Watford on Saturday July 23 Tickets Regular £50 Ringside £70