Callum Simpson (boxer)

Last updated

Callum Simpson
Personal information
Born (1996-10-16) 16 October 1996 (age 29)
Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England.
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight Super middleweight
Boxing career
Reach75 in (191 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights19
Wins18
Win by KO13
Losses1

Callum Simpson (born 16 October 1996) is a British professional boxer. He held the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles from August 2024 until December 2025 and the European super-middleweight title from June 2025 to December 2025.

Contents

Early life

Callum Simpson was born in 1996 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. [1] He attended Longcar Primary School and Horizon Community College, both in Barnsley. [2]

Before taking up boxing, Simpson played association football for Dodworth Miner's Welfare F.C. in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League; his father served as the club's manager. [3]

According to the Barnsley Chronicle, he began boxing at the age of eight at a gym in Bolton upon Dearne, later training at Barnsley Star Boxing Club under coach Trevor Schofield. [4] [5]

A YouTube interview reported that Simpson had 53 amateur fights, winning 38, before turning professional in 2019. [6]

Professional career

Simpson made his professional debut in 2019 against seasoned journeyman Elvis Dube at Doncaster Racecourse, winning a points decision. [7]

In October of the same year, Simpson faced and beat Kiril Psonko. A month later, he beat Richard Harrison via technical knockout at the Metrodome, Barnsley. [8]

Simpson had two fights in 2021, the first in October against Lewis van Poetsch. The second in December versus Antony Woolery, winning both via technical knockout. [8]

In 2022, Simpson was scheduled to fight Michael Osmanu Osunla. However, when the bout began, it was visibly noted that the opponent shared no resemblance to Osunla. Simpson continued to win the fight via knockout. But an investigation was opened to uncover the identity of the imposter fighter. [9]

Simpson won his first title by stopping Ben Ridings in the second round to claim the Central Area super-middleweight title at the Leisure Centre in Oldham on 1 October 2022. [10] [11]

In February 2023, Simpson signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Boxxer. [12] Simpson made his Boxxer debut in March 2023 against Celso Neves,winning via technical knockout. In July, he beat Boris Crighton via unanimous decision. His third fight of the year came against Jose de Jesus Macias, with Simpson winning via unanimous decision after scoring a knockdown in the eighth round. [8]

In 2024, on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke at the O2 Arena in London, Simpson successfully defended his title against Dulla Mbabe, winning via knockout in round four. [13]

Simpson won the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against champion Zak Chelli on 3 August 2024 in Barnsley at Simpson's childhood football club Barnsley F.C.'s stadium Oakwell. The fight, billed as Battle Lines, was won by Simpson via unanimous decision. [14]

He made a successful first defense of his titles by stopping Steed Woodall in round two of their bout at Park Community Arena in Sheffield on 11 January 2025. [15] [16] Three weeks later, on 1 February 2025, he defended his Commonwealth title against Ghanaian boxer Elvis Ahorgah at Wembley Arena in London, stopping his opponent in the fifth round. [17] [18]

Simpson faced Ivan Zucco for the vacant European super-middleweight title at Oakwell in Barnsley on 7 June 2025. [19] [20] He was knocked to the canvas in the first and third rounds, but recovered to win by stoppage when he felled his opponent three times in the 10th round. [21] [22]

Simpson put his European, British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles up for grabs against Troy Williamson at First Direct Arena in Leeds on 20 December 2025. [23] [24] He was sent to the canvas four times in the 10th round and lost via technical knockout when the referee waived the fight off following the fourth knock down. [25] [26]

Personal life

Simpson has one older brother, Bradley, a professional model, [27] and one older sister. His younger sister, Lily-Rae Simpson, died at 19 in a road accident in Greece in August 2024. [28]

Simpson now trains at Dicky's Gym in Batley, the former gym of IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington. [29]

He is a lifelong fan of Barnsley F.C. [30] and is notably proud of his Yorkshire roots.

In May 2025, Simpson partnered with The Trussell Trust to launch the Fight Against Hunger campaign with the aim of raising £15,000 for the Barnsley Foodbank. [31]

Professional boxing record

19 fights18 wins1 loss
By knockout131
By decision50
Key to abbreviations used for results
DQDisqualificationRTDCorner retirement
KOKnockoutSDSplit decision / split draw
MDMajority decision / majority drawTDTechnical decision / technical draw
NCNo contestTKOTechnical knockout
PTSPoints decisionUDUnanimous decision / unanimous draw
Boxing record
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound(s), timeDateLocationNotes
19Loss18–1 Troy Williamson TKO10 (12), 2:2120 Dec 2025First Direct Arena, Leeds, EnglandLost British, European and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles
18Win18–0 Ivan Zucco TKO10 (12), 2:287 Jun 2025Oakwell, Barnsley, EnglandWon vacant European super middleweight title
17Win17–0Elvis AhorgahTKO5 (12), 1:531 Feb 2025 Wembley Arena, London, EnglandRetained Commonwealth super middleweight title
16Win16–0Steed WoodallKO2 (12), 1:5611 Jan 2025 Park Community Arena, Sheffield, EnglandRetained British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles;
won WBO Inter-Continental super middleweight title
15Win15–0 Zak Chelli UD123 Aug 2024 Oakwell, Barnsley, EnglandWon British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles
14Win14–0Dulla MbabeKO4 (10), 1:1031 Mar 2024 The O2 Arena, London, England
13Win13–0Jose de Jesus MaciasUD1030 Sep 2023 York Hall, London, England
12Win12–0Boris CrightonUD101 Jul 2023Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
11Win11–0Celso NevesTKO3 (8), 1:3625 Mar 2023 Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
10Win10–0Ben RidingsTKO2 (10), 1:591 Oct 2022Oldham Leisure Centre, Oldham, EnglandWon vacant Central Area super middleweight title
9Win9–0Farouk DakuTKO1 (6), 1:162 Jul 2022Metrodome, Barnsley, England
8Win8–0 Michał Łoniewski TKO1 (6), 2:4930 Apr 2022 Bolton Whites Hotel (De Vere Whites), Bolton, England
7Win7–0Michal GazdikTKO1 (6), 1:109 Apr 2022Oldham Leisure Centre, Oldham, England
6Win6–0UnknownKO1 (6), 3:0026 Feb 2022 Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, EnglandMichael Osmanu Osunla scheduled but not present, investigation is open
5Win5–0Antony WooleryTKO3 (4), 0:5017 Dec 2021 Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England
4Win4–0Lewis van PoetschTKO3 (4), 1:3216 Oct 2021 Oldham Leisure Centre, Oldham, England
3Win3–0Richard HarrisonTKO1 (4), 2:2623 Nov 2019 Metrodome, Barnsley, England
2Win2–0Kiril PsonkoUD412 Oct 2019 First Direct Arena, Leeds, England
1Win1–0Elvis DubeUD422 Jun 2019 Doncaster Racecourse, Doncaster, England

References

  1. "Callum glad years of hard work have led to Sky Sports debut". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. "Callum glad years of hard work have led to Sky Sports debut". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  3. "Callum glad years of hard work have led to Sky Sports debut". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  4. "Callum glad years of hard work have led to Sky Sports debut". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  5. "Star man Trevor's new role". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  6. "WBA CONTINENTAL CHAMP CALLUM SIMPSON | EP 14 WOLF SUPPS PODCAST". YouTube. 28 January 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  7. "Simpson set to make his professional debut after 13 years in ring". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 "BoxRec: Callum Simpson" . Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  9. "Investigation into whether Barnsley boxer fought imposter in last bout". Barnsley Chronicle. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  10. "Simpson shines in Oldham with second-round stoppage of Ridings". British Boxers. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  11. "Batley-trained boxer Callum Simpson wins first title with stunning knockout". Dewsbury Reporter. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  12. "BOXXER SIGNS UNDEFEATED SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT SENSATION CALLUM SIMPSON TO EXCLUSIVE, LONG-TERM PROMOTIONAL AGREEMENT". BOXXER. 16 February 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  13. "Watch: HIGHLIGHTS: Callum Simpson knocks out Dulla Mbabe in super middleweight bout". Yardbarker. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  14. Evans, John (3 August 2024). "Callum Simpson dethrones Zak Chelli to win super-middleweight titles". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  15. "Callum Simpson stops Steed Woodall in two rounds, retains British title". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  16. "Callum Simpson vs Steed Woodall Controversial Early Stoppage". bigfightweekend.com. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  17. "Callum Simpson turns on the style to dismiss ambitious but limited Elvis Ahorgah". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  18. "Callum Simpson wins second title fight in three weeks with thrilling stoppage at Wembley Arena". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
  19. Iskenderov, Parviz (24 March 2025). "Callum Simpson faces Ivan Zucco in Barnsley, England in June". FIGHTMAG.
  20. "Callum Simpson to fight Ivan Zucco for European title at Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium in June". Sky Sports.
  21. "Callum Simpson claims European title following five-knockdown thriller". Boxing News Online. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  22. "Callum Simpson Survives Two Knockdowns To Stop Ivan Zucco In 10th Round, Wins European Title". The Ring. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  23. "Simpson to defend titles against Williamson live on BBC". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  24. "Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson date, venue and broadcaster announced". Boxing News Online. Retrieved 5 November 2025.
  25. "Troy Williamson stuns Callum Simpson, gets KO in 10th round". Boxing Scene.
  26. "Troy Williamson Drops Callum Simpson Four Times, Scores 10th-Round TKO Upset In Leeds". The Ring.
  27. "View our elite model BRADLEY SIMPSON in Main". Nemesis Models. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  28. "Callum Simpson: 'Lily would want me to carry on … I know I made her proud through my boxing'". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  29. "Undefeated Barnsley boxer Callum Simpson signs exclusive promotional deal with Boxxer as he prepares for Sky Sports debut" . Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  30. "Oakwell to stage 'dream' title fight for Barnsley FC supporter Callum Simpson" . Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  31. "Boxer aims to raise £15,000 for hometown foodbank". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 May 2025.