CALLUM Simpson is continuing his mantra of saying ‘every fight is must win’ ahead of the first defence of his British and Commonwealth titles.
It has certainly served him well so far as he has won all 15 of his pro fights to date. But the stakes are getting bigger and bigger.
The unbeaten super-middleweight put on a dazzling display at Oakwell back in August as he defeated former champion Zak Chelli unanimously on a momentous night for sport in the town.
The Barnsley man, 28, knows that to ensure more nights like that hinge on him beating the likes of Birmingham’s Steed Woodall, who is two years older, at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena on Saturday night.
Simpson told the Chronicle: “It is another big fight and another headlining show.
“There are not many professionals who are 15 fights into their career and selling out back-to-back shows.
“I am looking forward to it. I am physically and mentally prepared.
“I have got the same mindset for this fight as any other. It’s must win. They all have been since I turned professional.
“I have got big dreams and they will only come to fruition if I deliver on fight night. If I don’t, they all come crumbling down.
“Whatever Steed is feeling does not matter because I am 100 per cent ready.”
‘The Stallion’ has a solid record of 19 wins (12 by knockout) and two losses and a draw.
His last two fights have been against unbeaten fighters and in the away corner.
He lost on points to Padraig McCrory before stunning Lerrone Richards with a TKO win in Bolton in June.
But he also fought in the USA and the Dominican Republic in the early part of his career.
Simpson added: “I can’t really take anything from his fights in the USA. They were a long time ago and they are irrelevant.
“The knockout loss against Steve Rolls (in December 2015) was when he was a boy really, not a man.
“There is a lot more I can take from his recent fights.
“He has gone in the away corner a few times. It does not bother him and he has taken on similar opponents to me.”
Boxing usually lays dormant in January with shows seen as an extra expense most cannot afford following Christmas. It’s a measure of Simpson’s popularity, then, that this show has still sold out.
Simpson said: “When I was turning professional I always said that I would never box in January or early February because we have just had Christmas and everyone, myself included, was skint.
“When they mentioned boxing in January I wasn’t sure how tickets would go but I had a thousand physical orders right away. I am so thankful for the support I get.
“I’ve prepared so well for the fight.
“In sparring I’ve had several fighters come in to do four rounds, then another guy in for six and then the first guy back in.
“It keeps them fresh and I know that if I can do 12 rounds with fresh fighters that I can do 12 with Steed.
“On fight night, I’m always the same. I am relaxed and can have a laugh and a joke before.
“I am not someone who needs to get psyched up because when the bell rings I know it’s time to go.
“When I am in the ring, everything else just gets blanked out.
“I train and fight better when I am relaxed. Maybe that’s the bit of Jamaican in me.”
Of Barnsley’s four other previous British champions, only Brampton’s Josh Wale won a first defence with Charlie Hardcastle, Chris Saunders and Robbie Barrett all suffering stoppage losses.
The show is being broadcast on Sky Sports with the undercard, like the Oakwell show, featuring Caroline Dubois. It will start at 7pm.
The Londoner, sister of heavyweight world champion Daniel, will defend her WBC lightweight crown against Canadian Jessica Camara.
