Callum Johnson: I am coming back stronger and better than ever

Callum Johnson may have lost his first world title shot on Saturday night, when he was stopped by IBF light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev, but Johnson says his confidence isn’t shaken, and vows to come back strong.

From Sky:

“I don’t want to make any excuses, but I can fight better than that. I came close in that second round but the better man won and he finished the job off, so fair play to him. It’s not dented my confidence at all. In fact I think I might have needed that and believe me, I am coming back stronger and better than ever and I can’t wait to get back in there.”

Johnson (17-1, 12 KO) said he had no fear of Beterbiev (13-0, 13 KO) and promised an exciting fight coming in, and he delivered there. He was stopped because he was willing to take risks and get into a firefight with Beterbiev, not the smartest thing, perhaps, but Johnson fought to his own style and didn’t back down. There’s something admirable there, and he seems like the type of fighter who may, in fact, come back from defeat better than before.