Callum Walsh headlines the inaugural Zuffa Boxing event at the UFC Apex on Friday, marking Dana White's entry into professional boxing. The 24-year-old Irish light-middleweight is White's first signed boxer, having built his career on UFC Fight Pass. Walsh faces veteran Carlos Ocampo in a low-key debut during UFC 324 fight week.

Walsh's journey is a UFC-centric success story. He left a fishing boat job to train under Freddie Roach in Los Angeles, struggling for years before signing with promoter Tom Loeffler. His co-main slot on a Canelo Alvarez card last September propelled his profile, aligning him perfectly with White's new venture.

Zuffa Boxing aims to disrupt the sport, seeking its own belts and sidestepping traditional sanctioning bodies like the WBO and WBA. This model is banned under the U.S. Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which White and TKO Group are lobbying to change. The move raises concerns about fighter earnings and control, though Walsh fully supports the system.