Pro ambitions can wait as Johnson targets gold

Callum Johnson has the world at his feet – or should that be in his gloves?

The talented 24-year-old boxer has set his sights on a gold medal at this October's Commonwealth Games, in India.

Then, there is the small matter of the 2012 London Olympics and a possible career in the paid ranks of the sport.

All three targets are more than just pipe-dreams for the Scottish international light-heavyweight, who steps up his preparation for the Commonwealth Games, with a trip to Delhi for the Commonwealth Federation Championships, which start on March 7.

Johnson, from Benington, near Boston, cuts a confident figure, complete with a Mohawk-style haircut.

There is a genuine belief, as he pounds the bags at Lincoln's Terry Allen Unique Gym, that he could be striking gold in seven months' time.

He has already defeated Russia's national champion, Nikita Ivanov, on points and floored tough Macedonian Ilco Jonosski in the first round.

"I believe I have a really good chance as I have already defeated some of the best kids around the world," said Johnson, who flew out to Malta this week for a conditioning camp prior to his participation in next week's Commonwealth warm-ups.

"The last kid I boxed was a Russian who is in the world's top four and I don't think there will be anyone in the Commonwealth Games as good as him.

"He will obviously not be there and, although there will be different styles that can cause you problems, I think that if I am on my game I can pull it off."

A good performance in Delhi would stand him in good stead for the 2012 Olympics in London and heighten his profile with the Great Britain coaches, who run a full-time academy in Sheffield.

Johnson will join up with the GB scheme after returning from the Indian capital but while the Olympics remains entrenched in the light-heavyweight's thoughts, his mind is focused on winning the Commonwealth Games first.

"I should have gone earlier this year (to the GB scheme) for my assessment but I broke my foot which held me back," he said.

Johnson missed out on the Great Britain team for the last Olympics, in Beijing.

"The Olympics are massive but so are the Commonweath Games," he said.

"Things did not go according to plan, prior to the last Olympics.

"I had a little accident where I broke my leg and there were some politics and all different kinds of reasons why I did not go.

"I am hoping to put that to bed at the Commonwealths and put things right for myself.

"But I don't think I have anything to prove. I have already proved the critics wrong and the only people I have to do it for are myself, my family and the people who help me."

Johnson is ranked number one in Great Britain at light-heavyweight and number two in the Four-Nations format.

Such a pedigree will always raise the question as to whether the professional game is likely to be next on the agenda.

While Johnson has aspirations to move into the paid ranks, he is not in any rush to leave the amateurs just yet.

"I have a desire to go professional, but I want to get the Commonwealths out of the way, then of course, there are the Olympics just around the corner," he said.

"I am not going to make my mind up until after that."