After his latest win, Callum Simpson is considering his next move.
Simpson, 16-0 (11 KO), successfully defended his British super middleweight title on Saturday, stopping Steed Woodall within two rounds.
Woodall, now 19-3-1 (12 KO), looked like a strong contender after he stopped Lerrone Richards in six rounds last year, but Simpson made light work of it and dropped Woodall early in the second. Simpson followed up with a barrage of strikes. He later and referee Mark Bates bizarrely intervened when Woodall appeared comfortable to continue playing. The suspension of the match was criticized by experts and fans alike. But Simpson didn’t let it ruin his celebration.
“I’m really happy, to be honest,” Simpson told BoxingScene. “I said to my coach – I went into the gym this morning – I said I feel like an impostor. “I have 12 to 13 training camps. Week, gained weight, became fatter, had more energy, ate a lot of food. But one and a half rounds had passed. I feel like I’ve never done anything. I feel like I never exercise. The pads are more difficult than fighting.
“But yeah, you don’t get overtime in this game. I got stopped. Big knockdown. For me, the referee made me stop the match in the highlight. Because that’s what’s going to happen. He was going to get knocked out, but yeah, we got the win and that’s all that matters.”
Simpson is fighting for the first time since losing his beloved sister Lily-Rae in an accident while she was on vacation with friends. Simpson wears his sister’s name on the back of his blazer and on His hands were wrapped in remembrance of her. There has been a lot of arguing before about the loss that Simpson and his family have suffered. And Simpson believes it actually helped him deal with the grief of losing a loved one.
“I think it gave me a lot of strength in camp,” Simpson said. “Obviously. Fighting makes me very focused as well. I think many people when they face grief Whether it’s loss or whatever they’re dealing with emotionally, mentally, they hold on to a lot. While I think of me I’m doing interviews every day. Talk about Lily with the press, the press, and maybe that will help. I think that might help a lot. And of course I love talking about Lily. I love talking about her, but yes, and of course there’s nothing better than punching someone in the face. There is no better solution.”
Since the competition Simpson has spoken about returning to fight with fellow Yorkshireman Liam. Cameron again The pair are in negotiations to fight at super middleweight. Before Cameron, 23-6-1 (10 KO), faces light heavyweight Ben Whittaker.
Simpson believes now is the perfect time to return to boxing. After Cameron’s successful encounter with Whittaker in Saudi Arabia They had a technical conflict that reduced their injuries in October.
“I’m in a good position right now,” Simpson said. “Currently the British, Commonwealth, WBA, Intercontinental, WBO intercontinental champion is number one in the UK, ahead of the fight I am number two with the EBU and eighth with the WBA next month when the new world rankings come out. I believe I will be in the top 10 with at least three world governing bodies. Yes, I am in an incredible position right now. So whether we are at the domestic level English defense Or will we advance to the European level? The world is my oyster. We have many opportunities. There are many potential competitors. And I will fight with everyone
“I say Liam Cameron because he’s a Sheffield lad,” Simpson continued. “The whole of South Yorkshire; They were ten miles down the road, and he was gaining momentum in the final battle. same for me And that fight is for whoever is in Barnsley or Sheffield. They knew how big this battle was. It’s huge, but yeah, that’s the only reason I fought him. Because it will be a phenomenon. It will be a job for South Yorkshire. But other than that, I don’t care about anyone else. I can beat anyone. Anyone in the top 10 in the UK, for me Steed (Woodall) is above England level. You saw what I did to him. No one really saw that. So how good am I? I have much more to give. There is much more to show.”
Simpson also discussed a potential fight with former sparring partner Padraig McCrory. The Irish international competes globally with Edgar Berlanga and Simpson believes McCrory could be the perfect dance partner to sell out Oakwell Stadium. all his beloved
“That was another fight I liked,” Simpson said. “My favorite is probably Ireland vs. England, Pody (McCrories), great guy. I get along well with both the Conlan brothers (McCrory executives); they are good people That will be a big fight. Big battle in the field And I know he’ll bring in a few thousand. I love Irish very much. It would be nice on a summer day in Barnsley there. That too will sell out immediately. That would be huge.”
