On returning from Delhi where we won Scotland’s last gold medal of the Games, light-heavyweight boxer Callum Johnson made the decision to turn pro and has been taken under the wing of former multiple world champion Naseem Hamed.

After joining team mates at the Sunday Mail sportscotland Sports Awards dinner in Glasgow on Thursday he made his pro debut on Saturday night as he fought on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ world title defence at the Braehead Arena.

Naseem Hamed hailed Callum Johnson’s “chilling” professional debut after watching his protege stop his opponent in the second round with Johnson proving too powerful for Belfast’s Phillip Townley.

“It was a chilling performance, an absolutely brilliant performance,” said Hamed.

“It looked like he had been in that ring as a professional for the past ten years. It was amazing – crisp shots, very confident.
Johnson, who is based in Lincolnshire but very proud of his Scottish roots, loved every minute of it.

“It’s good to get my debut out the way, I was a little bit nervous,” the 25-year-old said.

“I represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games, making my debut in front of all these people in Scotland, and to get a stoppage, I’m over the moon, I’m buzzing.

“I have been waiting for this since I was a boy when I first put the gloves on in the kitchen with my dad, I dreamt of turning professional and boxing in front of all these people.

“It’s just happened, and happened in good style I thought.”