Thursday night boxing does not happen too often, but this Thursday will be an exception to the rule. For a weeknight affair, fans always hope that the card will be worth tuning into watch. Although the eyes of the sports world at-large will be focused on an NFL battle between the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears, the combat sports world will look toward New York City.
A packed weekend of competitive violence is bookended by events originating from The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. Thursday, 48 hours before the UFC takes over the main hall for UFC 295, The Theater serves as the setting for a night of action in the squared circle.
Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions heads to The Big Apple later on this week and they’ll bring a big show befitting of the greatest city in the world.
Callum Walsh Returns to Defend Belt on Fight Pass
All told, Thursday’s card features six fights. Highlighting the night’s itinerary is the battle for the WBC US Silver Super-Welterweight Championship in the main event of the evening.
Incumbent champion Callum Walsh (8-0, 7 KOs) returns to the ring to make his second defense of the strap against challenger Ismael Villarreal (13-1, 9 KOs.) As per the terms of the fight contract, this championship bout is an advertised maximum of 10 rounds at three minutes per round to close the show.
3 DAYS AWAY till the NYC takeover! @KINGCALLUMWALSH 8-0 (7KO’s) takes on Ismael Villarreal 13-1 (9KO’s) this THURSDAY NOV 9 at @TheTheaterAtMSG LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on @UFCFightPass 💥
Tickets https://t.co/MJOBtTkf5D #UFCFightPass #HollywoodFightNights pic.twitter.com/cOWVBgrHOd— 360 Promotions (@360BoxingPromos) November 6, 2023
Walsh vs. Villareal Fighter Comparison
Heading into Thursday night’s main event, champion Callum Walsh stands as the taller fighter at six feet even, compared to the 5-foot-8 frame of Ismael Villareal. The latter owns a one-inch reach advantage (73 inches to 72 inches) over the former ahead of this title fight.
Can “King” Walsh Score Eighth Career Knockout?
Champion Callum Walsh has yet to lose so far in his professional career. Most recently, he scored a fourth-round TKO against Juan Jose Valasco (24-5, 15 KOs) after he resigned from further competition on the stool during their Aug. 26 bout.
After spending time in California and Boston on fight nights, Thursday’s main event will be his first appearance at Madison Square Garden. In a recent interview with The New York News, Walsh mentioned that the venue of the fight matters not.
“That’s why I’ve never turned down an opponent,” Walsh began. “I don’t even know who they are. It makes no difference.”
Walsh has been involved with boxing since the tender age of six. Now, at 22 years old, he finds himself on the cusp of another title defense, and he owes it all to his coach, Freddie Roach, who also coached the great Manny Pacquiao in his heyday, something he told SportsJOE last week.
“I just showed up at the gym,” Walsh recalled. “I knocked on the door and asked if I could train, but he (Freddie Roach) said that I can train but it’s a sparring day today, so if I want to train I had to spar.”
From that initial sparring session with Blair Cobb, a teacher-student relationship was forged. Callum Walsh has been turning heads ever since, including that of UFC President Dana White.
One day he’ll be a great man. He’ll do great work for Ireland 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/xrIU4dlKyv
— KING CALLUM WALSH (@KINGCALLUMWALSH) October 25, 2023
Important “Home Game” for Ismael Villarreal
While Callum Walsh will come into the main event unbeaten, it won’t be easy for him to try and defend the title. He’ll be playing the role of the heel on Thursday night.
In the other corner, Ismael Villarreal, a native of the Bronx, has posted a 4-1 record in his last five fights. Most recently, he returned to the win column with a second-round TKO of John David Martinez (19-3, 16 KOs) back in September. That night, Villareal scored three knockdowns of Martinez during the second round of a scheduled eight.
The challenger looks to make a name for himself on Thursday night, which he promised back when the fight was first announced on Sept. 26.
“My dream is to be a world boxing champion and to achieve it, I have to eliminate all the obstacles that come my way and Callum Walsh will be no exception,” Villarreal remarked. “I will be happy to do it in New York in front of my fans, in the city where I was born and have lived all my life. I know that this victory will open the doors for me to compete in a world championship no later than 2024. On November 9, the boxing world will know who Ismael “Maelo” Villarreal is.”
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Stylistically, the main event looks to favor Callum Walsh, a southpaw, compared to Ismael Villareal’s orthodox stance. Both of these men, however, can get the job done inside the distance.
Look for Walsh to Work the Body and Go Upstairs
Any good boxer knows to try and land the punch to the body to set up a knockout. Callum Walsh’s boxing career has been a masterclass of that.
One need look no further than his August fight vs. Valasco. In the early going, Walsh’s body shots served as his bread and butter, using them to open up his playbook and score with punches to the head.
After Valasco was wobbled in round two, Walsh found himself in a phone booth against his opponent, yet still landed some high shots. It was in the fourth round where Walsh pulled away, knocking Valasco down and taking away much of his energy.
Villarreal is a Tough Customer
In the other corner, Ismael Villarreal could be the most challenging adversary that Callum Walsh has faced in his young career. He’s been able to get the victory within the first four rounds, like he did against Lenwood Dozier four years ago.
During round three, Villarreal attacked Dozier with relentless shots, backing him up against the ropes on two occasions. This gave him the opening he needed to execute the fight-ending sequence in round four, where he just continued to pour it on.
Despite Dozier putting Villarreal in the clinch, it was clear that the former was the aggressor on this night, with a second barrage of punches ending the contest in his favor. Look for Villarreal to knock Walsh off of his gameplan on Thursday night.
Final Thoughts
Thursday Night Football can take a hike this week. Carolina and Chicago have only combined for three wins so far this season. You won’t be missing much.
This is the better option. You’ve got two exciting fighters duking it out for a belt.
Prediction: Callum Walsh by Fifth-Round TKO.
Live coverage of the evening of pugilism begins at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT on UFC Fight Pass.
