GALASHIELS boxer John McCallum is dedicating his next fight to his dad who is suffering from cancer in Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital.

McCallum is due to take on Kazakhstan fighter Issa Akberbayev at the famous York Hall venue in London on November 19 for the vacant IBF Intercontinental Cruiserweight title.

The pair had been due to fight earlier this year, but Akberbayev was forced to withdraw with COVID.

The London based boxer who still owns a house in Gala told the Border Telegraph: “Training has been going well but although I’ve been training hard, my mind’s been elsewhere. My dad [Steven Robinson] is in hospital in Edinburgh with cancer. I visited him last week, but he insisted that I get back to my training. I’ve worked so hard to get this chance and a victory could get me into the top 10.

“Akberbayev has a good record but if I win my aim is to get a rematch with (Evgeny) Tishchenko. I’m desperate to fight him again. If I’d been knocked out cleanly then fair enough but I was hit by his shoulder and I was up at six ready to carry on, but the referee ended it. I’m still annoyed about that fight.

“I’d be willing to go anywhere for the fight and if I have the title that may make them agree to the fight.

“I’ve been in talks with Mike Perez the Cuban boxer who once held the WBA Intercontinental Cruiserweight title and if he wins his next fight then we could meet in Germany but first I have to concentrate on Akberbayev.

“That fight will be for my dad. I just want to make him proud.”

The fight should be available to watch live on Fightzone or via the Fightzone App.