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.
Unbeaten Brit Callum Dan stepped into the ring as the away fighter against experienced opponent Poramin Saengpak, but being the visitor 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.
Dan showed his skill against his opponent who boasted 23 wins, with 18 of those inside the distance. Saengpak was seasoned, unpredictable and awkward, with Callum showing patience and relying on his jab and movement throughout the bout. His strength showed as he caught Saengpak with a flurry, forcing a count from the referee halfway through the third round. Less than 15 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 victory, Callum confidently declared, “I’m ready to fight anybody.”
Thailand has become somewhat of a second home for Dan, this was his seventh professional fight in the Kingdom, with all coming of the victories coming inside the distance. Dan 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 in 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 when old enough to be licensed by the BBBofC.
Fight video: https://youtu.be/foLDHb1YWJA?si=TVGqpa61ywvRX-ho
