CALLUM Simpson is thrilled for himself and his hometown that he will fight once again at Oakwell – with this summer’s contest being for the European title.
The 28-year-old super-middleweight won the British and Commonwealth belts at Oakwell last year in front of 7,000 fans in the East Stand.
He is now due to fight Italian Ivan Zucco on June 7 live on Sky and it is hoped that more than 15,000 will attend.
Simpson told the Chronicle: “I am over the moon it’s finally over the line. The support from the football club and fans has been amazing to say the least.
“People ask if it’s a dream come true but it’s more than that because I would never have even expected to fight at Oakwell. Sheffield Arena, yeah. Manchester Arena, yeah. But I could never have pictured this until last year.
“We’ve come so far in the last year and I am looking forward to bringing another big event back to Barnsley.
“It’s the full week, the open work out and weigh-in.
“It brings a buzz to Barnsley and it’s something for us to be proud of.
“Even if you’re not a football fan or a boxing fan, it’s a local lad doing well who has worked hard to get where he has got, and they want to back him.”
It is not clear yet exactly what the final capacity will be for the fight.
Simpson said: “We did 7,000 last year and sold out in 48 hours. This time it will be a minimum of 15,000.
“My promoters BOXXER are working hard with the council and local authorities to try to get that number higher.
“I am confident it will sell out. Everyone has seen the support I had at Oakwell last time then in Sheffield and London since then.
“The show is called One of their Own because Barnsley have proved time and time again that they get behind one of their own.”
Zucco, 29, has won all 21 of his fights, 18 by knock-out, mainly in his own country as well as Spain and Switzerland.
Callum, who has won all 17 of his bouts, said: “I knew it would be a big fight but I didn’t realise it would be quite as big as a European title.
“I told BOXXER that, if fans are getting behind me, it needs to be for a proper title. Other than a world title you don’t get much bigger than a European title.
“He is my first undefeated opponent. Someone’s O has got to go as they say.
“He looks a tough, strong southpaw with a lot of power like me.
“It will definitely be my toughest test but that’s what I want.
“It’s the right step for me.”
It had been hoped that Barnsley FC would be celebrating promotion via the play-offs days before the fight but they look almost certain to miss out on the top six and finish in mid-table in League One. Simpson, who regularly attends Reds games and is friends with some of the players, said: “It would have been great for Barnsley to win a play-off final then a couple of weeks later for me to win the European title at Oakwell.
“It’s not looking as likely but it will be a great night in Barnsley either way.”
Simpson is not giving up his other belts to fight for the European title.
He said: “I
won’t be vacating the British title.
“You can hold the British and fight for the European.
“After this fight, Hamzah Sheeraz is moving up in weight and I will happily defend the European and British title against him at the end of the year.”
