17.06.05 – By Tony Nobbs: NABC and WBF Intercontinental heavyweight champion Rob Calloway has been enjoying his stay on the Gold Coast this week in the lead up to next Friday nights WBF title bout with Australian Bob Mirovic at the Royal Pines Golf Resort. So much so that he has expressed an interest in returning. Calloway, 35, touched down at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday morning following a twenty three hour trip from Kansas. He was accompanied by trainer/brother-in-law Jason Redmond and sparring partner, Native American Darwin Doney. The trio were picked up by promoter Jamie Myer and have settled in to their Surfers Paradise unit.
In the lead up to this fight, Calloway has sparred former world cruiserweight champion ‘King’ Arthur Williams and Danny Batchelor as well as useful journeyman Brian Scott. On Wednesday and Thursday night he put on a sharp display boxing six round sessions with Doney and Coast based prelim heavyweight Baden Oui, following with a fast paced session on the pads.
“It’s been a good preparation. I boxed twelve rounds, three times last week and it’s great to just get here early and loosen up after the long trip. I’m feeling better every day and I’m looking forward to the fight” said Calloway who scored a six round knockout over Jim Strohl in a tune up on May 14, taking his record to 54-5-1, 42 knockouts.
“I have trained to go the twelve rounds, if I see the chance to knock him out I will take it but I just want to win. Points or knockout, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t come all this way to go home without the belt.”
“I’ve been watching Mirovic and he is a strong guy. He has improved but he has got losses against guys who wouldn’t go against me”.
“This is a nice country, the people have been very courteous. I’d like to come back and defend the title and bring my family.”
“The WBF title will open a few more eyes for me. I was hoping the winner would get the next fight with Mike Tyson but there are still some big name guys out there”.
On Wednesday night Calloway watched the Queensland-NSW Origin 2. The first Rugby League match he had seen in full. “It’s a tough game, very fast, non stop” he said.
Mirovic, 39, is due to arrive on the Gold Coast on Monday from his NSW Central Coast base.