Seedhouse - fighter aiming for the stars
Callum Seedhouse…Wolverhampton fight date. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB
CALLUM Seedhouse, butcher by day, has no beef with admitting: “I don’t like getting hit.”
Thanks to blinding speed and razor sharp reflexes, that discomfort has rarely been encountered in a four fight career of lopsided decisions.
The Great Wyrley 20-year-old’s fists are a blur in the ring. Constantly switch-hitting, he attacks from all angles, lands lightning fast combinations, then moves out of range.
Seedhouse goes for win number five on BCB’s big Aldersley Stadium, Wolverhampton, title bill next Saturday, June 13. Around 150 supporters will watch his six rounder with Mario Ramon Portillo – and it’s a decent test for a pro still serving his apprenticeship.
The Mexican has won nine of 24, with two draws.
To date, Seedhouse, trained by his father, has made near flawless progress in the paid ranks, which is hardly surprising considering the lad’s amateur CV. His 68 bout career included national titles at junior and youth level, a youth tri-nations gold, four boxcup victories and six Midlands titles.
“I’ve been in with a lot of boys who went to the world and European games,” Callum said. “I see what they’ve achieved and think, ‘I could have some of that’.”
He’s having to graft before steaking a claim for glory, working from 8am until 5 at Mears Butchers in his home town, then sweating buckets in the gym. “They look after me,” he said of his daytime employers. “It’s hard being a butcher and boxer, but it has to be done. You get used to it, it becomes a way of life.”
It certainly appears the formula for ring success, with Seedhouse, to date, making mincemeat of the opposition.
“I don’t feel I’ve put a foot wrong,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve changed loads of things for the pros. As an amateur, you were making them miss and hitting them. With the journeyman who don’t want to engage, you have to push the fight.”
There’s only one thing missing from Seedhouse’s resume – a stoppage win. He’s not losing any sleep over it.
“At the end of the day, it’ll be nice when it comes,” he said, “but if you win by one point or win in the first round, you still win. I’ve never really looked for a stoppage – the more you look for it, the less the chances of it coming.
“Over four rounds, you can survive. It’s a lot harder to take that punishment for six, eight rounds.”
Callum is still developing and admitted the featherweight division is now beyond his tall frame. Super-feather (9st 4lbs) is currently “do-able”, but his long-term title future will inevitably be at lightweight.
And 10 round title fights can’t be too far away.
“I feel it’s close, it’s not a million miles away,” he added. “I’m knocking on the door, but I’ve just turned 20, there’s no rush. If the opportunity comes, I’ll take it, I’m not bothered who I box. Being a world champion – that’s my aim. If you don’t shoot for the stars, you won’t get anywhere.”