Callum Simpson: Why British and Commonwealth Champion runs two fights for the title in just three weeks | Boxing news
Callum Simpson is a return. The British and Commonwealth Super-Credit Champion leads two fights for the title in three weeks, which is the activity rate rarely seen at that level.
Accepted Saturday’s defense of the Commonwealth Championship against Elvis Ahorgah, live Sky Sportsin just two weeks and a week after the last fight.
“They needed someone to save the show!” said Simpson, who was happy to commit.
“I’m not foreign to rapid fights with fights,” he added. “It’s not the first time I’ve done it.
“I live a life. I think that’s important.
“I went out and had some food, but luckily it was only a week, so I didn’t put too much weight!”
Ahorgah was supposed to fight with Mark Jeffers late last year and trained for another fight. “He was ready to go in December and was ready to go a week after this. So he’s ready,” Simpson said of his opponent.
“His record, he has 13 wins, 12 come with knockout, so he obviously carries power. I watched a few of his knockouts and he carries the power. Many of his stops, they are not a soft stop of them, are pure knockouts.
“We have seen enough of what we need to see and as long as I do what I do we get a win.”
Simpson saw the challenge of Steed Woodall on January 11th in Sheffield, which the judge ended up in the second round. Physically he was not arduous for Simpson. But that would be emotionally drained.
Simpson was boxing for the first time since the tragic death of his 19-year-old sister Lily-Rae.
“It was a very special night,” Simpson said Sky Sports. “I can manage my emotions pretty well. I knew I had to be completely focused on that fight and I knew I would be in the whole camp and in the fight of the night.
“It was an emotional night after. I knew I had to control before and when my family entered the ring and I had an interview and reflected what I went through in the last few months, it was a bit emotional.
“It was a bitter-sweet night. It was joyful because I got a win and because of everyone who were there to support me.
“One person who wasn’t there was my sister, Lily-Rae. We did great for her and I feel like I was proud of her and dedicated that fight to her.”
On Saturday, Simpson, taking this short tender at the Wembley Arena, puts Simpson a lot on the turn. The loss could knock him out of his head at the Oakwell Stadium in his hometown of Barnsley this summer.
But he’s unwavering. “I didn’t have to fight against,” Simpson said. “Every fight is a risk.
“I never underestimate my opponent, I never overlook them. I always plan what to follow, but I ensure that I am focused on it.
“[For that stadium fight] There is the potential of European titles or defenses of British, perhaps even fighting the Eliminator of the World title, fighting against someone who is the top 10 of the world ranked. So, we have a lot of options.
“I believe in my ability, I believe in my preparation and I like to fight,” he added cheerfully. “I would fight every weekend if I could.”
Check out Callum Simpson against Elvis Ahorgah on Saturday, live on Sky Sports from 7pm. No Sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream without a contract now.
