‘Boxing saved me’: How Olympic heartbreak fuelled Callum Peters’ quest for boxing greatness

He was the biggest hardluck story at the Paris Olympics, but Callum Peters has revealed what he needs to do to achieve pro-boxing greatness, writes BRENDAN BRADFORD.

Start knocking people out.

That’s the biggest lesson Aussie boxer Callum Peters learned from his heartbreaking Paris Olympics ordeal in July.

And he’ll get the chance to do that on December 13 when he headlines a No Limit fight night card at The Star in Sydney – as long as someone agrees to fight him.

The 21-year-old South Australian still doesn’t have an opponent for the Fox Sports show, with Australian champion Jed Morris turning him down.

But, when his plans include knocking people out and becoming a modern boxing great, Peters – who says the sport saved him from going down an uncertain path in life – understands why no one wants to step into the ring with him.

The charismatic Callum ‘50 Cal’ Peters announced his professional debut on Tuesday. Picture: Grant Trouville

“He turned me down, but I don’t blame him – I’m a pretty scary guy,” Peters joked of the Morris rejection. “I was a bit disappointed, but I can understand it.

“I’m a pretty hard fighter and I do like to take them off the deep end and see if they can breathe. If they can’t, it’s bad.

“So, if I can’t get him, there will be someone else.”

Peters was one of the biggest hard luck stories at the Paris Olympics.

A massive underdog against the world champion Nurbek Oralbay, Peters battered the Kazakh in the second and third rounds, and even forced the highly fancied Oralbev into a standing eight count.

But the easy-going Aussie was left gutted as he dropped a controversial split decision 3-2.

“I really thought I had it, but the judges didn’t see it,” he said. “I don’t like to talk about it, because once you manifest it, it’ll just pull you behind, so I just need to learn from it.

“I just need to start knocking people out.”

The vast majority of viewers felt Peters (R) beat Oralbay (L). Picture: Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Peters will follow in the footsteps of Nikita Tszyu and Justis Huni and make his professional debut in the main event of a televised bout, but hasn’t turned his back on the amateurs.

His management will work with No Limit to schedule professional fights around amateur events and training camps, with the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games likely targets.

It has been a rapid rise for the once overweight kid from Adelaide, who only began boxing to get in shape.

“Honestly, boxing saved me,” he said. “It opened me up to the community and to communicate and make new friends and opening up.

“It put me on a really good path in life. I don’t know what I’d be doing now if not for boxing. I’d be fat and lazy, maybe working a job I don’t want to do.

“It’s always been there for me, made me realise what hard work is and what I’m here for.”

Ending our year in style 🙌 Toese Vousiutu and Stevan Ivic meet for the Australian Heavyweight Title on a stacked card in Sydney. #nolimitboxing#nolimitonfoxpic.twitter.com/KqJ2YXeopb

— No Limit Boxing (@NoLimit_Boxing) November 19, 2024

He has big plans too, and with his all-action style, will be a hit.

“I definitely want to be one of the greats,” he said. “Just watching those old school fights and seeing the volume they throw with.

“It’s a different era. A different vibe and I want to get back there. No waiting. If you see an opportunity, just take it.”

Peters headlines No Limit’s last domestic card of the year, with Kaye Scott taking on Desley Robinson in an IBF middleweight world title rematch.

Stevan Ivic will defend his Australian heavyweight title against Toese Vousiutu, while Jasmine ‘Jazzy’ Parr looks to take the next step towards boxing stardom against Aussie veteran Shannon O’Connell.

There will be an IBF world title on the line when Kaye Scott (L) and Desley Robinson (R) meet in a massive rematch. Picture: Grant Trouville

Elsewhere on the card, rising lightweight star Ahmed Reda faces Michael Reynolds, but is continuing his campaign of locking in a rematch with Harry Garside.

Garside defeated Reda in the Olympic qualifiers last year, and the 21-year-old Sydneysider is desperate for revenge in the pro ranks.

“I’m trying to get the word out there, but I haven’t heard back,” Reda said. “I’m ready whenever.

“He’s gotta get through me if he wants to come back to boxing and get back to the big stage.

“I’ve heard coming back to boxing next year and hopefully he does. If not, he can stay looking pretty on the mic.”

Originally published as ‘Boxing saved me’: How Olympic heartbreak fuelled Callum Peters’ quest for boxing greatness