The Zuffa Boxing era kicks off this Friday with Zuffa Boxing 01, featuring a middleweight headliner between Callum Walsh and Carlos Ocampo. This marks TKO’s debut in boxing, with the event broadcast live on Paramount+ from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas.
Undefeated Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KOs) has steadily climbed the ranks, recently securing his biggest victory over the previously undefeated Fernando Vargas on the Terrence Crawford vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez undercard in September, a fight co-promoted by Zuffa Boxing. Walsh, a longtime friend of UFC president Dana White, became Zuffa Boxing’s first notable signing, with White playing a key role in guiding his career.
Walsh expressed pride in being chosen for this prominent slot, emphasizing his readiness to face any challenger to prove his talents. Dana White highlighted that his focus extends beyond Walsh, emphasizing building a strong team and presenting a solid fight card, with no biases towards the outcome despite his support for Walsh.
Carlos Ocampo (38-3, 26 KOs) is a seasoned fighter who has challenged for the IBF welterweight title in 2018 and interim junior middleweight titles in 2022 and 2023 but came up short in those big bouts. Ocampo, known for his toughness, has won several fights by stoppage since his last loss but mostly against less challenging opponents compared to Walsh.
Walsh acknowledges Ocampo’s experience and anticipates a tough, action-packed fight, viewing it as a significant step to prove himself. Besides the headliner, the card features middleweight undefeated fighters Misael Rodriguez vs. Austin DeAnda and begins with a junior welterweight clash between Cain Sandoval and Julian Rodriguez, who brings knockout power to the matchup.
The betting odds for the main event favor Walsh at -700, with Ocampo at +450, and similar odds reflect the other scheduled fights in various weight classes. Predictions lean towards Walsh securing a technical knockout by the third round, considering his power and Ocampo’s tendency to absorb hits.
Fan Take: This event signals a fresh chapter for boxing as Zuffa Boxing steps into the arena, bringing UFC-style energy and promotion to the sport. For fight fans, Walsh vs. Ocampo is not just a match but a glimpse into how boxing could evolve with new leadership and star-making potential.
