Edinburgh boxer John McCallum on his 2020 goals, moving down south and meeting Gazza

John McCallum has set himself a target of becoming Commonwealth light heavyweight champion by the end of the year.

The 31-year-old Edinburgh-born boxer, who relocated to Virginia Water in Surrey last year, has agreed a three-year deal with promoter Mo Prior – with legendary England footballer Paul Gascoigne used as a witness to him signing on the dotted line.

The former British Masters belt holder has endured a stop-start career, but has won 11 of his 12 professional bouts – his only defeat being dished out by former Norwich City footballer Leon McKenzie in October 2015.

However, he believes he is now in the hands of a promoter who has his best interests at heart.

McCallum, who will return to the ring at London’s York Hall on April 11, said: “Mo is the first promoter I’ve had who has guaranteed a run of fights.

“I went for quite a few meetings with promoters but Mo’s was the most lucrative. He offered me a deal I couldn’t refuse.

“Since moving down south last year, I’d been training in the Guilford gym alongside the likes of John Edwards and they were putting the word out for me so I’m delighted to be signed up.”

McCallum, who has recently become a father again to son Austin, was delighted to have the former Rangers man, 52, in attendance as he completed the formalities – even if he broke a young McCallum’s heart in 1996.

“Mo asked if I would be happy to have Gazza as the witness when I signed my contract,” McCallum explained. “I’ll admit, he broke my heart when he lobbed the ball over Colin Hendry and scored against Scotland at Euro 1996.

“It was a pleasure to meet him. He was down to earth and he’s backed me 100 per cent.

“I’m aiming to move quickly. I’ve been in professional boxing for a long time but I’ve not had that many fights.

“I feel I’ve served my time fighting journeymen so the deal had to be right. I’m either going to go somewhere with this or I’m not.

“I don’t need to box financially so I do it because I love it. I’m targeting the Commonwealth title by the end of this year.”