Edinburgh middleweight prospect John McCallum got his professional career off to a successful start in 2010 with an unbeaten run of 3-0, but injury and personal loss threatened to derail his progress. However, McCallum is more determined than ever to make an impact this year despite adversity.

McCallum also split from promoter Paul Graham of Prospect Boxing in what was a tumultuous year for the 23-year-old.

“I suffered two broken hands, a broken ankle and a burst ear-drum. I also lost my auntie who I was very close with as well, all in 2011, so I’m hoping to make 2012 a good year for me,” he said.

Boxing is in his blood and generations of McCallum’s family have tried their hand at the sweet science to varying degrees of success; his uncle Tommy McCallum was the Scottish light-middleweight champion in the 1980s.

“Boxing is in the family,” explained McCallum, who comes from a traveller background. “I’d say more my grandad inspired me. All his sons, all my uncles, were good boxers. My uncle Thomas took it to another level by turning professional and winning titles.”

John ‘Boy’, as he is known, will want to go one further and there is little doubt he has the capabilities judging by his amateur haul. He won seven Scottish titles, seven Eastern District titles and gold, silver and bronze medals at international level.

When still an amateur, McCallum was fortunate to spar with current boxing stars Junior Witter, Kell Brook and Scotland’s world champion Ricky Burns.

“I always sparred with professionals from an early age, since I was 12 and 13-years-old,” he said. “I trained in the Barn Boxing Club with Ricky Burns and Mark Watson; I always sparred with professionals and boxed like a professional anyway.

He added: “I went down to Sheffield and sparred with Junior Witter and Kell Brook, so I’ve sparred with lots of different styles and I’ve boxed in gyms all over the world. I’ve been in America as well. I just love fighting and I try to adapt to every style so I make them worry about me.”

Having split from Prospect Boxing due to a lack of fights, McCallum is in talks with several promoters who could take his career to the next level. He insists he is ready to step it up in 2012 and fight as much as possible; ambitiously every month.

“I think 2012 will be about getting as many fights as I can. I wouldn’t mind being 10-0 or 12-0 by next year,” said McCallum. “Then hopefully looking for a British title fight and maybe moving on after a few defences of that to European and getting up there after that.

“I’m fit and ready. I live in the gym, I train three times a day, six days a week. I can’t possibly get any fitter; it’s just getting the experience and getting the fights that has let me down just now.

“In an ideal situation I would fight every month. I would literally fight 12 times a year. That’s not a problem for me providing that I was injury free. It’s just getting the fights at the minute. I wouldn’t mind being a lot busier.”

McCallum’s prayers may have been answered in the short-term by former WBO super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur.

“Alex has promised me a fight on April 13 at Meadowbank Sports Centre so whatever promoter I sign with I will have to make them aware that I have a fight in April in front of my home fans. That’s something I really like doing, I love boxing at Meadowbank. I used to go there with my grandad and watch Alex himself so I’m looking forward to that.”