Callum Simpson believes securing the European championship is the essential step to unlocking significant, career-defining bouts.
Simpson already enjoys immense popularity in his hometown of Barnsley. This Saturday, he is set to headline at Oakwell Stadium, facing the undefeated Italian Ivan Zucco for the European super-middleweight title.
He hopes a European title victory over Ivan Zucco will open the door to a major all-British clash against fellow super-middleweight Hamzah Sheeraz. Success against Sheeraz, in turn, could position Simpson as a credible opponent for Chris Eubank Jr.
“Hamzah Sheeraz, he’s currently in my weight class, and both career-wise and commercially, that’s the ideal next fight for me. That’s the one I want,” Simpson stated. “I have a considerable following, but not the level of Conor Benn, so commercially, a fight with Eubank Jr doesn`t make sense yet. However, if I defeat Zucco and then Sheeraz, that fight becomes a real possibility.”
“It`s a fight I`d love, but you have to be realistic.”
However, these aspirations could be threatened by Ivan Zucco`s formidable power. The Italian, a former national champion, is unbeaten with 18 knockouts among his 21 professional wins.
“This isn`t an easy fight. He`s a serious opponent; he has more knockouts than I have total wins, so it will be tough,” Simpson acknowledged. “I`m looking forward to it.”
Former world champion Johnny Nelson, who hails from nearby Sheffield, advised Simpson to be wary of Zucco`s “old school tricks.”
“I know Zucco`s team from fighters I`ve boxed; I understand their methods. They don`t travel just to lose. They`ve come prepared, expecting victory, and they`ll do everything to gain an advantage,” Nelson commented. “They might hit you behind the head or low; they`ll complain to the referee simply to disrupt you. That`s what I expect from Zucco. He`s incredibly heavy-handed. Callum needs to control the pace.”
Nelson added: “You get away with whatever you can, and at this level, the rulebook is often disregarded. This will be that kind of fight. He`ll try to break Callum`s focus, break his spirit, make him hesitant. If you approach it with a `war` mindset, it won`t matter. Callum must be sharp and completely focused.”
Simpson benefits from a uniquely passionate local fanbase. Their support will undoubtedly drive him forward, creating an intense, cauldron-like atmosphere at the open-air stadium.
“We have a game plan, and the crowd definitely supports me and gives me that extra one, five, or ten percent,” Simpson shared. “Everyone knows I start at a high pace and can maintain it until the end, which is my plan for Saturday. Last year [at Oakwell], walking out in front of that many people, I thought, `How can I possibly lose here?` When fighters face such a large crowd, they either sink or swim, but I was swimming – doing breaststroke, butterfly, front crawl, doggy paddle.”
“I feel I`m someone who thrives under pressure and rises to big occasions. I proved it last year and will do so again this year.” He continued: “This is a fighter`s dream. Whether in the home or away corner, I feel privileged to walk out in front of 15,000 people at a football stadium, headlining for a European title. That`s every fighter`s dream.”
Josh Warrington, who also drew massive crowds in Yorkshire and headlined stadium shows (like beating Lee Selby at Elland Road for a world title), spoke about the unique feeling of competing at a hometown football stadium.
“When we`re in there, we`re like gladiators. This is like a coliseum. You`re experiencing so many emotions,” Warrington described. “You`ve sacrificed not just for the past 12 weeks but for years to make these fights happen. You face a man who wants it just as much.”
He added: “Walking to the ring, I`d look into people`s eyes. You see they`re with you, willing to go through the emotional journey with you to see you win. You feed off that energy. And what comes after, going to the ropes and seeing the fans and their joy… I can`t imagine any feeling comparing to that.”
Warrington believes Simpson possesses the level of support needed for a truly remarkable future.
“He remains down-to-earth, and people connect with that,” Warrington said of Simpson. “He has the potential to become a massive superstar.”
Simpson is certain to be inspired by the passionate crowd this Saturday night.
He stated: “No other fighter is selling tickets like me, no one has support like mine. On ticket collection days, hundreds queue for photos, autographs, meeting each person who bought a ticket, looking them in the eyes and thanking them for their support. People are coming from Ireland, Scotland, London, families flying from Australia for five days, from Dubai, Tenerife, just to support me. Nobody else has this kind of support.”
He understands the importance of seizing this opportunity. “It`s amazing to see the town rallying behind me,” Simpson added.
“People often wait for the `good times` and only years later realize they were living them. But I feel like I`ve been in the good times for many years, which is why I try to enjoy everything – every moment, the experience, the journey. Not only am I a ticket seller, but I deliver on fight night, and I will continue to deliver this Saturday. We won the British and Commonwealth last year. We aim to win the European title this year. Why not the world title next year?”
Murray Blackwood