CALLUM Simpson is hoping to give himself and his legions of fans a merry Christmas when he defends his three belts at Leeds Arena on Saturday against Troy Williamson.
The super-middleweight contest is expected to be shown at about 9.30pm on BBC Three and iPlayer, with Barnsley man Simpson, 29, aiming to make it 19 wins from 19 professional fights and defend his European, British and Commonwealth titles.
Williamson is five years older and has had seven more professional fights, losing four before stepping up from super-welterweight in which he was British champion.
Simpson told the Chronicle: “Troy is a good, tough and experienced fighter but I think I am better than him in every area.
“He’s stepped up after struggling to make weight at a lower weight.
“He’s come up to my weight and knocked out the English champion Mark Dickinson with a great knock-out.
“But I am here to show him I am the man at 168 and send him back down to middleweight.”
Simpson is set to be backed by thousands of fans from Barnsley.
“I’ve personally sold more than 2,000 tickets. In the first week, Athersley Reds, East Dene Reds and Grimey Reds did about eight coaches.
“The support has been amazing as always. They never seem to let me down, the Barnsley faithful. We will turn Leeds red with a ‘tarn takeover’.”
Christmas will be different for Callum this year compared to in 2024. He said: “My first fight of this year was in January. I was in the gym on Christmas Day had to take a tupperwear box with meal prep to my girlfriend’s family’s house for Christmas dinner.
“I only had a little bit of low calorie gravy. This year I will be able to have all the trimmings.
“The camp has gone great. I said to my coach that I feel the best I’ve ever felt in sparring. For the past six weeks I’ve been doing ten or 12 rounds with fresh lads who have fights coming up themselves.”
This will be Callum’s first fight since he recovered from two early knockdowns against Italian Ivan Zucco to win the European title at Oakwell in June.
“I learned a lot and got more experience. You learn a lot about yourself walking out in front of 15,000 people, being dropped after eight seconds.
“All boxers say they will get up straight away when they get dropped but you never know until it happens.
“It was almost a blessing in disguise. I would rather it happen now in my career than further down the line.
“What a special and magical night it was for myself, my family and Barnsley.”
Simpson has not fought at the Leeds Arena since his second professional fight against Lithuanian journeyman Kiril Psonko in 2019, winning on points in a four-rounder on the undercard of a Josh Warrington world title fight.
“I was on about 4pm. Half my friends and family didn’t get in to watch on time because they were only just opening the doors as my fight was starting.
“There is no footage and no photos.
“My ringwalk was all rushed.
“I wasn’t invited to the press conference. Going back five years later as the headliner on the BBC, defending European, British and Commonwealth titles, it’s a little bit different.”
The show is one of the first to be broadcast on the BBC who have partnered with promoter Boxxer.
Simpson said: “BBC are the largest public broadcaster in the UK.
“There is no paywall barrier. It’s free to air. Anyone can tune in.
“I told my grandma I was on BBC and she said ‘I can watch it now.’
“She’s at ringside every fight so I don’t know what she means. Maybe she meant on catch-up.
“Hopefully, it can inspire the next generation if there are kids at home who haven’t got Sky who come across it and get motivation.
“There is such a big demographic we will reach and hopefully it gets more people into boxing and more people behind me.”
Simpson will be joined on the show by fellow Barnsley fighters Cory Sagar and Jake Jon Cleary.
“It’s something I pushed for massively for this fight.
“My promoters at Boxxer wanted to do their own card but I told them I needed these two lads on it. I tried to get some other names on it as well.
“Cory trained in the same amateur gym as me, Barnsley Star, his granddad used to train me, and Jake Jon Cleary from Wombwell is a top lad and I’ve been in his corner for fights.
“I want to bring people with me on this journey. Boxxer finally gave in and we’ve got them on the card.
“I am absolutely buzzing. I can’t say ‘I am one of your own’ to Barnsley people if I am not trying to help to help other lads from the town.
“Cory has a good fight and he’ll be on quite early. Jake has a great fight against Ellis Ward.
“Both Jake and Ellis are both undefeated. I am mates with them both so may the best man win.
“If anyone from Barnsley is coming to watch me, make sure you support Cory and Jake as well.
“I will probably watch their fights and knowing me I will try to get in their corner.”
