Despite losing out on the chance to become the Golden Ticket Fight Promotions amateur welterweight champion, Callum Turberfield claim’s he will be the official uncrowned king if he beats late replacement Zana Kalary at GTFP 23.
Turberfield was originally scheduled to face the reigning champion Jordan Little, but unfortunately he was forced to withdraw due to injury.
GTFP 23 goes down tomorrow night at the K.K Steelmill in Wolverhampton, and we had the chance of catching up with a fired up Callum Turberfield ahead of battle.
Interview With Callum Turberfield
Callum, you’re over a week out from GTFP 23, and it’s not been easy on the lead-up for you with opponent changes and losing a title fight. Where’s the mindset at as we close in on fight week?
Hey, the mindset is the same as always, Come Saturday I am ready to do what I love to do and that’s fight and win.
With the last-minute opponent change in mind. How much has that affected your preparation if anything?
Nothing changed, this is why I work on my own game and look to improve each training session. S**t happens I can only control the stuff that happens in my camp.
As mentioned, you were supposed to fight Jordan Little for the title. Of course, it would have been great to get the opportunity to add a GTFP belt to your amateur resume, but has it been hard to pick yourself up from that? If so, how do you pick yourself up and keep yourself motivated?
As you said I was meant to be fighting Jordan Little. That was going to be a great fight but Jordan Little gets that Dan Cassel privilege which stops me from having that title put around my waist Overall I’ll know I am the champ and so will Jordan and GTFP.
Callum Turberfield on Zana Kalary
You’ll know the face Zana Kalary. Talk to me, how do you feel about the match-up and what last-minute measures have you taken to leave with your hand raised over an opponent you’ve not had long to prepare for?
As I stated before I concentrate mainly on improving my skill set, this is just another body where I get to go out a show how good I am as a fighter.
If you beat Zana Kalary, have you been told you’ll get another opportunity to fight for the promotions belt, or do you just want to move past that and not get caught up with amateur titles?
I believe a win here and my next fight I’ll finally get that golden belt put around my waist.
Just last month you fought on Budo FC against Salvo Giudice and dropped a unanimous decision. Firstly, what went wrong do you feel, and secondly have you given yourself enough time to recover between fights?
I moved up to middleweight definitely not my weight class but no excuses here I lost on the night. I just didn’t perform, recover ha I could have fought again that night.
Game Planning
It’s hard to envision how the fight’s going to play out when two men get a change of opponents two weeks out. Do you even game plan in that time, or is it just get in there, and adapt to what comes your way? Talk us through that process.
Let’s just get in there and put on a show! People love to watch my fights because it’s a fight.
With that in mind, what sort of fight are you expecting from Zana on Sept 2?
The guy hasn’t fought this year so who knows what he will bring but come Saturday I’ll be ready to step in the cage and put on a show.
Finally, leave us with your official prediction.
I am always looking to finish the fight by any means possible but all that really matters is it’s my hand being raised at the end of the night.
