The bar owners and the bartenders in New York owe Callum Walsh a tip of the cap, and probably a few free rounds for his table.
The unbeaten Irish star blew out Dean Sutherland on Sunday in less than a round on the night before St. Patrick's Day. If Black Friday is the day that retailers make the year profitable, St. Patrick's Day is that day for the bars in New York.
Walsh improved to 13-0 by overwhelming Sutherland, who entered their super welterweight bout in The Theater at Madison Square Garden with a 19-1 record that clearly wasn't what it seemed.
The sleight of hand by these matchmakers would have impressed even David Copperfield.
To the naked eye, this might have been Walsh's first performance. He rocked Sutherland immediately after the bell sounded, and just pummeled him from one side of the ring to the other. A blistering right hook sent Sutherland down and the spectators rushing for the exits to go guzzle some Guinness and rehash Walsh's triumphant night.
He pulled off the win in front of a sell-out crowd that included many from his native Ireland. Walsh has had the backing of UFC CEO Dana White, who ran to the ring as soon as it ended to praise Walsh.
Given how long it took and how dominant he appeared, it was a master class by Walsh. Dig beneath the surface, though, and it's not quite as amazing.
To the critical eye, it was another thing entirely.
Two fights ago, on Sept. 7, 2024, in Aberdeen, Scotland, Sutherland faced Jordan Grannum and claimed a six-round decision against a guy who loses as often as it rains in Seattle.
Fair enough.
Grannum, though, entered that bout with an 11-142-5 record. He lost more frequently than the Washington Generals, the long-time nemesis of the Globetrotters. Grannum had lost 11 in a row before fighting Sutherland and was 2-17 in his previous 19 bouts.
It was the second time Sutherland had defeated Grannum. He won a four-rounder over him in 2019 when Grannum was 4-43-1. Another of Sutherland's 19 victories was over 26-157-10 William Warburton.
That is how you put together a 19-1 record and get a shot at one of the most prominent young stars in the sport on a heavily hyped card on St. Patrick's Day Eve.
He was fighting opponents with records as suspect as the $300 million the guy emails you to say you've won if only you'll share your banking credentials so he can properly make the transfer.
Lina Baker/360 Promotions
Referee Ricky Gonzales counts out Dean Sutherland, who was stopped in Round 1 Sunday by unbeaten Callum Walsh.
Regardless of who Sutherland had faced previously, he was no match for Walsh. He can't be blamed for the warm body delivered to him. He can only beat the boxers in front of him.
And he did it convincingly, so much so that White, who later this year will promote boxing, texted to say, "I have plans for him."
Walsh is good; maybe very good. Beating a guy who's made a career off beating professional losers isn't a way to find out, though.
The truth is that while Sutherland's resume was as soft as room temperature butter, he did what you're supposed to do to fighters like that. He imposed his will and he finished the fight not only quickly, but impressively.
"I knew coming into this that he was going to be dangerous," Walsh said. "But I'm getting older. I'm getting stronger and that was my best performance so far. I guess [he was] my best opponent, and it's only going to keep on getting better."
Walsh, 24, entered the fight ranked sixth at 154 in the WBC, but the field ahead of him is strong. Sebastian Fundora is the champion and Vergil Ortiz Jr. has the interim belt. The top five are, in order, Serhii Bohachuk, Xander Zayas, Charles Conwell, Jesus Ramos Jr. and Israil Madrimov.
Zayas, who at 22 is 21 months younger than Walsh, would be a great next opponent, but that's unlikely to happen anytime soon as Zayas is hopeful of a title shot.
Walsh, though, needs to take a step forward in level of opposition. His goal is to be the pound-for-pound king, and he needs to start notching some notable names in that belt.
"I was born for this, you know," Walsh said excitedly in the ring when it was over. "I'm trying to be the best fighter in the world. I'm getting stronger and stronger and ... I'm looking forward to the future."
Walsh is a gregarious, easy-going kid who has a great back story. He's done nothing but win and with White, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and promoter Tom Loeffler, he's got a world-class team.
Delivering a world-class opponent next would be a pretty wise course of action.
Lina Baker/360 Promotions
Callum Walsh poses with his team after his victory Sunday over Dean Sutherland.