CALLUM Simpson is looking forward to fighting for the British title in Barnsley this summer after another impressive knock-out win at the weekend.
The 27-year-old super-middleweight from Barnsley defeated Dulla Mbabe at the 02 in London on Sunday, his 14th win from as many professional fights and tenth knock-out.
He is now due to take on Zak Chelli for the British and Commonwealth titles, and says it will be in his hometown.
Simpson, who regularly attends Barnsley FC matches and is friends with some of the players, has previously spoken about his dream of fighting at Oakwell.
The Metrodome is another venue in the town which has regularly hosted boxing in the past.
Simpson told the Chronicle: “I can say it will be in Barnsley in the summer, but we’re still confirming venues and dates.
“The past two fights, people have travelled all the way down to London to support me in big numbers.
“Sky Sports and my promoter BOXXER have promised to return the favour and give me a homecoming fight.
“It would be unbelievable, not just for me but for my friends and family as well as the community of Barnsley.
“There would be a press conference, open work-out and weigh-in in the town and there would be a buzz around the place all week with the Sky cameras there.
“Hopefully we will be able to officiallyannounce it soon but I am definitely expecting it to be in Barnsley.”
Simpson stopped Tanzanian Mbabe in the fourth round.
He said: “It was a really good performance. In the first round I was a little bit too eager.
“I spoke to my corner, got back on the jab, started boxing better, kept my range better and finished it with big right hand.”
Although he fought at just after 6pm, Simpson was well-backed by fans from Barnsley.
“I had unreal support. Just over 300.
“The arena is so big so I didn’t know how loud it was going to be but it was amazing.
“The promoter Ben Shalom always comments about how much support I get and how much noise they make.
“It was brilliant to say I was on so early. You could hear them through my fight and the next fights as well.”
Simpson has no doubts he will make it 15 professional wins out of 15 and lift the British title in the summer.
“I have been asking to fight Chelli for two years.
“I know I am better than him.
“The only thing he had over me was experience but I have got a lot more of that now.
“I am very confident I win that fight.
“Me and my manager had plans for different chapters and levels of my career.
“First it was signing for a promoter, then getting my first fight on TV, now it’s a British title and headlining a main event in my hometown.
“After that it will be to go to the very top of the sport.
“I want to make a statement in the super-middlewight division, get to the top of the list then move to light-heavyweight in a few years and do the same.”
Olympic silver medalist Ben Whittaker was on the same bill, winning on points.
Simpson said: “Ben Whittaker is definitely a fight I want in the future.
“It could be a massive domestic dust-up.
“I think I would beat him comfortably.”
