River v McCallum is an explosive mixture

Poster for Wilson-Bent’s eight round battle

I ANTICIPATE fireworks when River Wilson-Bent and Geordie Matt McCallum share the ring this month.

But then there’s rarely a dull moment in a fight involving the Coventry middle.

The pair meet over eight rounds on the big June 29 GBM show at Coventry Skydome and those viewing McCallum’s record may believe a comfortable evening awaits the home favourite.

I don’t. I expect thrills, spills and raw action because McCallum is the kind of “give one to take one” scrapper that draws River into a punch up. At 30 and with 22 contests under his belt, the former Midlands champ has the experience, precision and poise to handle McCallum clinically.

But he does like a good old fashioned straightener.

Remember SA Smith, the raw novice who shared eight thrilling, wild and woolly rounds with River on a GBM show at the Skydome in March? He came away with a draw because the favourite fought on his brawling level.

McCallum will come with the same desire, but is much more experienced and better schooled than Smith.

He’s won seven of 10 and took the Northern Area super-middle belt in 2022 by halting Mike McGoldrick in seven. That’s the sole stoppage win on his CV.

The losses suggest McCallum isn’t blessed with a water-tight defence or cast-iron chin. Adam Hepple, having only his fourth fight stopped him in two for the area title.

Boris Crighton, admittedly heavy handed, halted him in nine.

River, who has fought at a much higher level than McCallum, should have too much of everything, but I sense he may encounter choppy waters – especially in the red mist descends.

Perhaps he has learnt his lesson. In his last bout, he kept it long against inexperienced Tomasz Felsz and disposed of the Pole with a peach of a left hook inside one round.

If he does the same against McCallum, he should box the man’s ears off before finishing him down the stretch.

McCallum is a decided step up from Wilson-Bent’s last opponents, Smith and Felsz.

He represents a step in the right direction for a fighter who has faced such top opposition as Tyler Denny, Ryan Kelly, Ammo Williams and Hamzah Sheeraz.

With the English title up for grabs, River shared a technical draw then lost by split decision to Denny who is now European champion.

With the Commonwealth silver title up for grabs, he lost an epic Midlands fight of the year to Kelly.

He has performed at a very high level.

River’s manager Jon Pegg said of McCallum: “He does have a go. River should have too much, but it’s boxing. River, on a good night and on top form, wins. It’s about making sure he has a good night.”

Pegg has got used to his boxer’s habit of engaging in trench warfare when not needed.

“He can give up his assets to be in a brawl,” he admitted. “It’s a part of his DNA. You don’t get annoyed about it because that would be like getting annoyed with someone for being a non-puncher. You work around it.

“It’s what he does and it’s why he gets on so many shows. It’s also seen him win fights that, otherwise, he wouldn’t win.”

After the draw with Smith, some whispered River was on the slide.

Pegg, however, believes there are plenty more big nights for the crowd-pleaser.

He added: “We are aiming to get River that English title. That’s his ambition and I believe he’s got it in him to do it.”