Callum Simpson delivered a stunning performance at Oakwell Stadium in front of his hometown supporters, rallying from two early knockdowns to defeat Germaine Zucco and claim the European super-middleweight title. Fighting with the tenacity he calls “Yorkshire grit,” Simpson told Sky Sports, “No chance [I’d give up]… I was never going to give up, especially with this support behind me.”
Despite hitting the canvas for the first time in his professional career, Simpson remained undeterred, believing the vulnerability he showed could now attract higher-profile opponents. “They’re probably going to watch that and go: ‘He got dropped first round.’ It’s probably more enticing,” he said.
Simpson’s explosive 10th round — where he dropped Zucco three times — sealed an unforgettable win and showcased his resilience under pressure. Now, he has his sights set on Hamza Sheeraz, especially if Sheeraz gets past Edgar Berlanga. “Even if he gets beat by Berlanga, I think it’s still a massive fight,” Simpson said.
The European title bout was anything but easy. “It wasn’t unexpected, I just got caught with a very good shot,” Simpson reflected. “When you’re fighting for a European title, you’re going to take some good shots.” He added that the intensity of the fight will only make him better moving forward.
With eyes on a world title shot by 2026, Simpson is keeping his ambition grounded. “I’m not saying I’m world level yet… but in my next six fights, I’ll be fighting for a world title.”
Swifteradio.com
