CALLUM Simpson says he is feeling no pressure ahead of his historic fight at Barnsley Football Club but is aiming to give his hometown crowd plenty to cheer.
The 27-year-old is due to take on Zak Chelli for the British and Commonwealth titles at Oakwell tomorrow evening.
It is the first boxing match at the ground for more than 80 years and will be watched by 7,000 fans.
Simpson has so far won all 14 of his professional fights and wants to compete for the world title in the future.
Simpson told the Chronicle: “I don’t feel any pressure. I’ve been doing this since I was nine. I had 50 amateur fights and 14 professional fights.
“I have worked too hard not to enjoy it. This is just a job and I love it.
“Some people can’t afford to pay their bills and feed their kids, including in Barnsley. That’s pressure.
“I just feel immense pride and gratitude to have this opportunity.
“I don’t get nervous. It will be very special but I need to make sure I keep level-headed, not rush and be patient.
“But I have gone over all that in my training camp. I know what to do.”
The Sky Sports cameras have been in Barnsley all week, at Simpson’s first club Barnsley Star – where he started as a nine-year-old – then the open work-out and weigh-in in the town centre.
“It’s unreal. Not just the fight night but the whole week. The weather has been glorious.
“It’s massive not just for myself but for the town.
“A lot of people in boxing say they have never heard of Barnsley or don’t know where it is.
“They are shocked that an event like this is being held there.
“Everyone knows how much of a big deal it is to headline on Sky. Then to do it in your hometown, and at a football stadium, is very rare. I don’t think it has ever been done for domestic title.
“I have been at Oakwell many a time. I have visualised the ringwalk hundreds of times in my head.”
Simpson is hoping to inspire people from his hometown.
“I grew up having to watch boxers from Leeds or Sheffield. Hopefully I can inspire people from Barnsley. I am always around the town. They might see me in Asda or Lidl. I just want to inspire the next generation.
“It’s been a massive journey. This fight is the start of the next chapter.
“A lot of my friends and my dad’s friends remind me of fights at working men’s clubs in Barnsley and other places.”
The 7,000 tickets in the Pontefract Road End sold out within three days.
Simpson said: “I was hoping it would sell out. As soon as found out about the record-breaking pre-sales, there was a big sense of pride.
“BOXXER and Sky said they would be happy with four or five thousand. It was a massive risk for them.
“It would have been great to get the stadium totally sold out. We didn’t know where we were with numbers and licensing.
“We’re happy with 7,000 and everyone there will be.
“It sets us up for next year for hopefully a full sell-out.”
Simpson is pleased with his preparation for his fight with champion Chelli who, in theory, will be his toughest opponent.
“Everything has gone great.
“I had an amazing camp.
“I have prepared as well as I can.
“I am just enjoying fight week and making the most of it.
“This is something I have worked hard towards all my life.
“On paper it is my toughest fight. That’s what I want. I see myself as a fighter who will go to world level.
“This is another stepping stone.
“Chelli is obviously a tough fight but I believe he’s found his ceiling at British level and he will stay there.”
Chelli has been in more than double the amount of professional rounds than in Simpson’s career.
But the Barnsley man believes he will have the stamina if the fight goes long.
“I have done a couple of ten-rounders.
“I have done multiple 12-round spars with different fresh opponents.
“I’ve got the rounds in and have plenty left in the tank. I am more fit and conditioned than ever. I have trained to do the 12 rounds and more, but I don’t know if it will go that far.”
The Glass Works is due to host the official weigh-in today from 1pm.
