Latest news with #CallumSimpson
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco: Start time, live stream, TV channel and full card for epic super-middleweight title clash
CALLUM SIMPSON'S Barnsley homecoming sees him put his European super-middleweight title on the line against undefeated Ivan Zucco. Mr Simpson has been in the form of his life of late and is hoping to extend his perfect 17-0 professional record. 1 The British heavy-hitter goes into this bout off the back of a fifth-round stoppage win over Elvis Ahorgah in February, despite accepting the challenge on short notice. And it was no surprise to see Simpson successfully defend his crown in style - the very same belt he snatched from Zak Chelli last August via a unanimous decision. However, the champ has already admitted that his next opponent, Zucco, will give him the 'fight of his life' as the Italian icon has an even impressive undefeated record of 21-0. Furthermore, Zucco will step into the ring off the back of a dominant second-round stoppage over Kasim Gashi in December. When is Simpson vs Zucco? Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco will take place on Saturday, June 7. Ring-walks for this huge encounter are set to get underway at approximately 10pm BST. These timing are subject to change depending on the other fights on the undercard. Oakwell Stadium - home of Barnsley FC is the chosen venue for this mega title fight and it can host around 15,000 spectators. Tickets for this event are still available on Ticketmaster Please note that StubHub and similar secondary ticket resale sites may list tickets above face value What TV channel is Simpson vs Zucco on and can it be live streamed? Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Action. Fans can also stream the entire action through NOW TV via any compatible mobile device or tablet. What is the full card? What has been said? Champ Callum Simpson has admitted that this will be his toughest fight so far in his illustrious professional career. The British boxer said: "This is the biggest fight of my career, and I'm expecting my toughest test to date. "Last summer, I won the British and Commonwealth titles in front of my home crowd, and now we're coming back, bigger and better, fighting for the European title against an undefeated fighter in Ivan Zucco. "This isn't just another fight, it's a massive European night, and I'm coming to put on a statement performance. I need Oakwell to be a fortress on June 7 and make sure that European title stays right here in Barnsley. "The support from Barnsley means everything to me. This town has backed me from day one, and to be fighting at Oakwell again, in front of my people, is something special. "Last time we sold it out in two days, this time we're going even bigger. It's going to be a night to remember and I couldn't be prouder to represent Barnsley on the big stage."
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Fabio Wardley can reach the top of heavyweight boxing – but a risky fight stands in his way
It has been nearly a decade since Tyson Fury changed the heavyweight landscape one night in Dusseldorf. Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko to win three versions of the world heavyweight title in 2015, just six months later Anthony Joshua won a version and the rest is history. 'What a time to be a heavyweight and dream of winning the world title,' said Fabio Wardley. It is indeed a great time to be a heavyweight, especially a British heavyweight. On Saturday night, at Portman Road, Wardley will walk just a bit closer to the dream when he fights in front of his hometown fans for the right to be a serious contender. It might also be the night that we find a local hero – and the British boxing business loves a local idol. On the same night, in Barnsley, a confirmed hometown hero, Callum Simpson, fights outdoors at Oakwell. I truly believe that quality fighters like Wardley and Simpson topping bills, at their home grounds, on the same night is bad for the sport. In the opposite corner to Wardley will be the unbeaten Australian, Justis Huni, a respectable fighter with enough dreams of his own. The Australian scene is thriving right now, and a genuine leading heavyweight contender would add to the business. It would be a lucrative crown; Wardley would also make tremendous gains in a multi-million-pound heavyweight boxing boom. They should be applauded for accepting the fight and it is far more than just the money. They are two unbeaten prospects in a bout that neither needed to take; in previous decades they would have crossed the street to avoid contact. Their promotional and management teams both believe the other camp has made a mistake and that always leads to a good fight. The summer of heavyweight showdowns and announcements is about to start; in July, Daniel Dubois has a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed title. Joshua, Joseph Parker, the avoided New Zealander, and six or more of the leading contenders, will all be hoping for a call to join Riyadh Season, which will enter its third year of delivering the previously undeliverable, once it starts again. The landscape for the big men by Christmas will be very different and Wardley and Huni are fighting for a place on the very top table; a lot of names need a big name and those are the rules of action in Riyadh. There are no poor veterans from the previous two seasons of fights. Wardley is still only 30 and started his journey on the white-collar circuit; his progress as a professional was gentle, not groundbreaking. He is now a long, long way removed from the free-swinging dangerman in grainy footage clobbering topless doormen at dinner shows inside nightclubs. There were some early signs that the raw edges had been refined, clear signs that he was putting as much brain as there was brawn behind his punches. Last March, he kept his British heavyweight title with a brutal draw against Frazer Clarke. It showed Wardley had the stamina, the smarts and the guts to go the distance; a few months later, he stopped Clarke in a round. That was his last fight, his most significant in every way. Wardley is no longer just a white-collar convert. Huni has been all about promise in his 12 fights as a professional. He has not had to break a sweat, but the promise is there, a mixture of his youth, his decade on the top international amateur circuit and his obvious desire. Too often, in the boxing business, we look too deeply for a fighter's strengths and weaknesses; Huni has burning desire and that goes a long, long way. We foolishly search for facts about stamina, rounds, punch aggregates, personal bests on the track, and what we should be doing is looking at what the boxer wants and how he is acting. And, in my opinion, desire is a massive factor. The bad news for Huni and his gang is that Wardley is also all about desire. As I said, this looks like a great scrap. Wardley can win a hard, hard fight and Huni can win a smarter fight.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Callum Simpson To Take On 'Knockout King' Ivan Zucco
Callum Simpson To Take On 'Knockout King' Ivan Zucco originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Prepare yourself for a night to remember in Barnsley, local boy Simpson will put his unbeaten, i.e., perfect record, on the line. Advertisement Simpson will face off against Italian knockout artist Ivan Zucco for the European super middleweight title at Oakwell Stadium. The eagerly awaited match is scheduled to happen on June 7th, 2025, and the confirmed venue of the match is Oakwell Football Ground, Barnsley. This is much more than a fight - it's a homecoming party. Simpson sold out this venue in 48 hours last summer when winning the British and Commonwealth titles - such a unique feat for local talent. Simpson returns now with over 15,000 fans expected to fill the football stadium as they urge on their hero. Simpson enters at 17-0 with 12 knockouts, however, he has never fought a fighter quite like Zucco before. The 29-year-old Italian is a southpaw pounder and has stopped 18 men as part of 21 bouts. Advertisement "Callum must be careful, I have a very powerful punch," said Ivan Zucco to the press during a promotional visit at Barnsley, England, in May 2025. What makes this exciting is that either man can end the match with one punch. Simpson yearns to become the first Barnsley-born fighter to win a European title, while Zucco envisions taking the belt back to Italy. The winner is offered more than bragging rights, yet the potential to step closer towards a world title shot. Simpson has already outlined his ambition to "fight for world honours," and beating an undefeated knockout artist like Zucco would certainly get noticed. As with every boxing promotion, there is one guarantee - somebody is losing their undefeated record on June 7th. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Barnsley boxer aims to raise £15,000 for hometown foodbank
Boxer aims to raise £15,000 for hometown foodbank 9 minutes ago Share Save Chloe Aslett BBC News, Yorkshire Share Save Boxxer Callum Simpson says he is getting involved "as much as possible" as the foodbank's latest ambassador Boxer Callum Simpson is hoping to help raise £15,000 in three months to support a foodbank. The British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion launched the "Fight Against Hunger" campaign during a visit to Barnsley Foodbank He said he wanted to get involved "as much as possible" in order to understand issues of food poverty in his hometown. "Barnsley has backed me since day one," he said. "I am in the position I am because of my town, my community, so it's only right I give something back." The foodbank, which is part of The Trussell Trust network, supplied food to about 6,800 people in the year to August 2024, more than a third of whom were children. Simpson added: "If you were to ask me a few months ago who uses a food bank I would've said people on lowest income, maybe single parent with kids, but it's not [just] them. "It's families with two parents, working good jobs, some with kids some without [because] the cost of everything has gone up. "People need a little help, people are going through a hard time." Boxxer Simpson holds the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles Next month Simpson will fight Ivan Zucco for the European super-middleweight title at Barnsley FC's Oakwell Stadium and the foodbank said his support was already providing a boost. "We have had a real upswing in monetary donations because of his profile on this already," said Andy Gaskell, fundraising officer at the foodbank "Because he is a professional athlete he was really interested in the nutritional value of the parcels, and he said he could see they were healthy. "That was affirming for us - to have an athlete say, 'I can see the thinking here'." He said the hub spent about £5,000 on food per month, so, if successful, the campaign would fund three months worth of meals for service users. Mr Simpson said he was also looking for "long term" ways to support the cause. "It would be great if I could finish my career and there be no one in Barnsley going hungry," he said. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
