Two of boxing’s big rivals are back at it with Callum Simpson vowing to avoid the pain this time against Troy Williamson.
When these two northern super-middleweight warriors collide in Leeds this evening Simpson will be the challenger after losing his British, Commonwealth and European belts to Darlington’s ‘Trojan’ back in December.
Williamson hammered the unbeaten Barnsley man to a tenth-round stoppage defeat in the First Direct Bank Arena, live on BBC TV.
This evening’s re-match will be transmitted on DAZN, with the winner predicted to fight for a world title next according to BOXXER’s supremo Ben Shalom.
The riches come later. Tonight is solely about repeat or revenge with Simpson vowing to get it right this time.
“I got caught with a good shot,” conceded the 29-year-old.
“I got caught too much and let Troy punch me too much
“It’s not the best idea in a boxing match.
“I made too many mistakes and paid the price for it.”
It prompted a change in outlook, with Simpson moving camps, swapping Mark Hurley in Batley to Rob McCracken in Sheffield.
Simpson had won 18 times in a row under Hurley, 12 inside the distance, but has opted for Yorkshire pastures new.
“When you’re winning it’s easy to not look at the mistakes you make and just keep on pushing forward,” said Callum, who believes the tweaks will make him a winner.
“But after a loss there’s time to sit back, reflect and you know realise that some change needs to be made.
“He thinks he’s better than me, I think I’m better than him. We’ll find out Saturday night.”
Shalom admits he was blown away by the first meeting at the First Bank Direct Arena and said a re-match was the perfect start foe BOXXER’s association with DAZN.
“This is a very special day,” said BOXXER’s founder and CEO. “The first big, big show between BOXXER and DAZN, and it is enormous.
“I think when we made this fight in December, it was a big fight, but we didn’t expect the atmosphere, we didn’t expect the numbers, we didn’t expect the interest, and we didn’t expect the fight that we got.
“Since then, the rivalry has built, and there are no bigger stakes than this on Saturday night. I believe the winner goes on to fight for a world title in the next six months.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Chris Dean/ BOXXER
