HOW do you see this fight going?
“A Zak Chelli victory and a night of pain for Barnsley’s fans.”
It was a matter-of-fact answer from the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion.
The Fulham fighter, 26, was up at Oakwell for the first time to promote his upcoming title defences against Barnsley’s own Callum Simpson on August 3.
Chelli was impressed with the surroundings and humbled by the history being made with Oakwell hosting boxing for the first time since 1943.
It will be all business when the night comes, even with thousands of Simpson supporters set to jeer him.
He said: “I am looking forward to all the cinematics and the drama.
“It will be a great night of boxing.
“I am a true fighter and a man of my word. I say I will fight anyone, any time, anywhere, any place and here I am to do it in Barnsley.”
The fight has been a long time in the making and one that Chelli wanted to have much sooner. But negotiations for the fight to be held in the football off-season at Oakwell have ensured an even longer build-up than usual.
He said of Simpson: “As a person he seems like a nice lad and I understand why Barnsley is supporting him. He’s the face of Barnsley - it’s just a shame I’ll be ruining it.
“As a fighter he’s big and strong. I know I will be his first major test.
“I have had tough fights against many unbeaten opponents and winning records and travelled up north before. My experience will come into play.”
Chelli won the belts in Liverpool earlier this year with a win in the away corner in against Jack Cullen.
That improved his record to 15 wins, seven by stoppage, and two losses and a draw.
“Last time I was out was January and I was hoping to be out straight away but I have had to wait until August.
“But the time is now and I am looking forward to it.
“My wife’s a northerner, she’s from Worksop, so hopefully we will have some Worskopians supporting me too. The mining people, I respect, my father-in-law was a miner, so I know how hard it is.”
n For Simpson’s thoughts on the fight, see page 22.
