Middleweight Callum Makin has established himself as a proven medal winner for the GB boxing team, but his path to Olympic glory hinges on a crucial weight category decision. According to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old has won medals for Britain at both the World and European championships at 75kgs, but Olympic qualification next year forces him to reassess his division.
With 75kgs no longer an Olympic weight category, Makin must either move up or drop down by five kilos. Despite becoming a national champion twice over at light-middleweight, the Liverpool fighter expects to gain weight for his Olympic qualification campaign rather than cut further.
It's either 70 or 80kgs for me, which is a massive jump either side,Makin told Sky Sports.
I'm looking at doing 80 kilos and I'm going to progress on that. I'm going to go up a weight and build into a new weight.
The reasoning behind his choice reflects a pragmatic approach to the demands of elite boxing.
It's something that I'm confident of doing. With the right team around me, I'll be able to progress in that weight.He continued:
It's a big ask to keep performing day after day, while getting your weight really low. I'd rather be boxing 100 per cent and giving everything.
Makin's recent medal haul underscores his credentials as an emerging force in international boxing. His bronze medal at the European Championships in Bulgaria, where he lost 4–1 to Azerbaijan's Saidjamshid Jafarov in the semi-final, follows the bronze he secured at the World Championships held in his Liverpool hometown. At the 2025 World Championships, Makin reached the semi-finals with wins over Croatia's Petar Krešimir Knežević, Poland's Michal Jarlinski and Canada's Joshua Ofori before losing to reigning European champion Rami Kiwan.
I'm glad to come home back with another medal,Makin reflected.
With it being in Liverpool, the World Championships, there was a lot of pressure on me to do well, thankfully I did.
The Bulgarian competition offered a different atmosphere from the intensity of competing at home.
Out in Bulgaria it was a little bit different. More relaxed and just focusing on the fight more than anything. Just mainly [thought] go out there and enjoy it, and I did.He added:
[The Worlds] was great for me as well, especially medalling in such a big tournament, the icing on the cake. It's definitely a memory that I'll always be thankful for and never forget as well.
Makin's journey back to competition has not been without obstacles. GB Boxing confirmed that he had not competed for more than nine months before his June 2026 return following his 2025 World Championships bronze. When he did return at the June 2026 Czech Grand Prix, he took bronze, though a cut sustained in his opening bout led to his withdrawal from the semi-final.
His standing in the sport continues to grow. World Boxing's June 2026 rankings listed Makin sixth in the 75kg division, with 450 points, reflecting his status among the world's elite at his current weight.
Beyond the immediate Olympic challenge, Makin harbours ambitions rooted in Liverpool's storied boxing heritage.
Especially with a lot of great champions that have come from the city, that's always been a massive dream of mine, to follow in their footsteps and create a story for myself,he said.
I have ambitions of being a world champion and one of the best in the world, that's my aim come the end of my career.
The prospect of bringing elite boxing back to his home city drives much of his motivation.
We're very well known for our great crowds and how we back our fighters, not even fighters but sportspeople. We get behind them and support them massively. It would be great one day to bring a massive fight to Liverpool and give the fans what they deserve and perform in front of them.
For now, however, Makin's focus remains laser-sharp on the immediate challenge ahead.
It's all focused now on the Olympic qualifications which will be next year.He concluded:
I'm looking forward to a busy end of the year and a massive focus to next year.
The Los Angeles Games in 2028 represent his target, but the qualification process beginning next year will determine whether he reaches that stage. With his proven medal-winning pedigree and the support of GB Boxing, Makin possesses the credentials to make the step up in weight and continue his ascent towards Olympic glory.
