Light heavyweight contender Callum Johnson (18-1, 13 KOs), 35-years-old, revealed on Thursday that he signed a long-term promotional agreement with Frank Warren.

For the last few years, Johnson was working with Eddie Hearn of Matchroom - but behind the scenes there was an internal promotional rift that created a situation where Johnson was benched.

The big puncher has been out of action for nearly two years, with his last ring appearance taking place in March of 2019 - when he knocked out Sean Monaghan.

The new agreement with Warren will open up a lot of doors for Johnson, because of Warren's very close relationship with Top Rank.

Warren and Top Rank co-promote a number of fighters - including WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

And Top Rank has a deep roster of light heavyweights.

In the coming months, Joe Smith and Maxim Vlasov will collide for the vacant WBO world title at 175. Smith is a big favorite to win the fight.

Top Rank have agreements with both Smith and Vlasov - and they also promote WBC/IBF champion Artur Beterbiev, who still remains as the only boxer to beat Johnson.

If Johnson had his way, he would fight Smith for the WBO title - and then have a rematch with Beterbiev in a unification. 

"I saw Frank and BT Sport putting on Arthur vs Yarde and Dubois vs Joyce, I was watching and thinking I would like to be part of that, why am I so inactive? Joe [Gallagher] reached out [to Frank Warren] so I have to thank him. He’s the one who has been working behind the scenes to get the deal over the line with Frank. I’ve got to thank him for that. I’m looking forward to this new chapter. It’s looking like it could be the last chapter, but the best chapter," Johnson told Metro.co.uk. 

"We have this new deal with Frank and things are looking up and hopefully we get a few good years. With Frank we know he has a good relationship with the WBO. The Joe Smith fight just excites me. I think maybe because it was spoken about before and never materialised. That’s the route I want to go down and get that fight locked down. Beterbiev obviously interests me but I’m not stupid. I know I need another fight or two to get myself to top form. That would be my biggest aim. I think of it as a fairy-tale, win the WBO and then fight him in a rematch in a unification fight. That’s the ambition."