Callum Walsh had one clear objective: to demonstrate his ability against Fernando Vargas Jr. and solidify his position as a leading contender in TKO’s Zuffa Boxing division. The Irish southpaw maintained his perfect record, yet on such a grand stage, he  fell short of providing the thrilling experience that supporters were eagerly anticipating. His careful, strategic style resulted in a sense of disappointment among the audience.

Earlier, promoter Tom Loeffler, however, saw it differently, calling Walsh-Vargas Jr. exactly the type of fight Turki Alalshikh envisioned for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford undercard. “You have two young, undefeated, hungry, exciting boxers fighting each other. That’s what boxing needs. Boxing needs these types of fights for the fans. This is what the fans wanna see. They’re both risking their undefeated records.” Still, even with a clear unanimous decision win on the cards: 99-91, 99-91, and 100-90, the reaction was lukewarm. Now, with criticism swirling, Walsh has the support of his girlfriend, UFC strawweight contender Tabatha Ricci, as he navigates this critical moment in his career.

Ricci rallies behind Callum Walsh after criticism

Callum Walsh showcased his strong fundamentals, dictating the pace with size, precision, and composure. Vargas Jr., on the other hands, had his moments, darting in with quick movement and sharp jabs, but Walsh’s steady work rate and body combinations steadily took control as the fight wore on. It was a disciplined performance, but for many viewers, it lacked the intensity and drama expected from a matchup of this magnitude. Still, Tabatha Ricci made it clear she was proud of her boyfriend’s effort.

Taking to her Instagram story, the UFC strawweight contender posted a photo of herself with Walsh, writing, “Sky is the limit for you! Beyond proud @kingcallumwalsh. Love you❤️.” And it wasn’t the first time Ricci has shown public support for the 24-year-old.

Ricci has been by Walsh’s side through his rise, including after his blistering first-round knockout of Dean Sutherland on March 16. Bursting with excitement that night, she shared, “What a night,” as Walsh delivered a statement win. From the opening bell, the Cork native came out firing, unfazed by Sutherland’s southpaw stance. While Sutherland absorbed some heavy early shots, a crushing right hand just before the round ended put him down hard, twisting his leg awkwardly. Referee Ricky Gonzales waved it off immediately, sending Walsh and his fans into St. Patrick’s Day celebrations a bit early.

That night also drew high-profile praise from UFC CEO Dana White, who was cageside to witness Walsh’s explosive finish. White shook the young Irishman’s hand in the ring and later shared the moment on his Instagram story with a simple, “Congrats.”

This time, however, Dana White was accused of showing favoritism toward Callum Walsh, elevating him to the co-main event despite it not being a title fight, a move many felt was driven by White’s admiration for the young fighter. But with the bout failing to deliver the excitement expected at that level, questions have surfaced about whether Walsh was truly ready for such high-profile exposure. And with that, the spotlight now shifts to White: will he step in to defend his fighter, especially after the 24-year-old publicly backed him just days earlier?

Dana White gets support from Callum Walsh ahead of letdown

After a win that left many fans underwhelmed, Callum Walsh now faces a different kind of test: the weight of expectations tied to his connection with Dana White. However, just days before his fight with Fernando Vargas Jr., Walsh publicly praised the UFC boss, crediting him for opening doors and creating new opportunities for fighters.

“You can see the difference that Dana and the UFC mentality is bringing over to boxing,” Callum Walsh said at the time. “It’s going to be very beneficial for the sport.” With Saturday’s performance drawing criticism, the question now is whether White will return the favor and publicly stand by his young prospect.

Walsh’s dedication to White is rooted in personal experience. At just 24, he’s already enjoying the rewards of White’s impact, gaining early visibility through UFC Fight Pass and securing a prized position on one of boxing’s grandest platforms. Those chances have rapidly elevated his status in ways that are rare for young competitors.

As Walsh once explained, “The things that Dana has done for me, I’ll forever be loyal to Dana no matter what. I’ll always defend Dana.” So, with their bond out in the open, all eyes now turn to how Dana White responds after Callum Walsh’s lackluster showing. And now, as the Irish southpaw plots his next step, the question is, who should Callum Walsh face next?