Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Who wins?

Poll ended at 21 Dec 2025, 04:23

Simpson - Decision
5
21%
Simpson - T/KO
10
42%
DRAW
1
4%
Williamson - T/KO
5
21%
Williamson - Decision
3
13%
 
Total votes: 24

Coco
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Coco »

Spud MK2 wrote: 14 Dec 2025, 14:59 Anyone for the shock?
Williamson is a good fighter, the weight will get to Simpson at some point
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Fight week!! :box:
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Troy Williamson reveals the stick he got for sparring Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn

Troy Williamson came in for online criticism for sparring both Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn ahead of their recent rematch.

Williamson traveled to Dubai for rounds with Eubank before heading to Essex as Benn completed his preparations for their November 15 return, which Benn won via a wide decision.

“Yeah, I got a hell of a lot of stick, but it's just off people that don't really understand the business,” Williamson told Boxing Scene. “Like I've got a fight on December 20 coming up myself, so I'm traveling for world-class sparring. There's not much world-class sparring where I'm based in the northeast, so I've got to travel.


“Before I went out to spar Eubank, Tony Sims asked me for the sparring [with Benn]. I told him I was sparring Eubank, ‘But when I get back,’ I said, ‘if you still need rounds then I'm happy to come and give you rounds.’ There was no stories told; nothing even got asked. So for me, it's just sparring, sparring, sparring, sparring. I've never once spoke about sparring. What happens in the gym stays in the gym, so it's just these armchair fans that are just talking a load of rubbish, trying to create something.”

Williamson, from Darlington, England, has traveled far and wide to spar, and he recently rated light heavyweight prospect Marvin Tomlinson as one of the best he has worked with. A southpaw prospect from Manchester, England, Tomlinson is 3-0 (2 KOs).

“He’s very awkward but good at what he does, and he can really, really punch,” said Williamson.

Williamson is not afraid of doing the work. It helped him spring one of the year’s surprises when he defeated Mark Dickinson to set up a big December 20 clash in Leeds, England, with European super middleweight titleholder Callum Simpson.

It’s arguably the biggest night of Williamson’s career, and one not many felt the 34-year-old would get after he lost four of his past six fights.

But Williamson’s 21-4-1 (15 KOs) career has been revived by both moving up in weight and the Dickinson victory, and it is a lesson to pros not to give in when the going gets tough.

“Not many people would have probably stuck around and kept on going,” Williamson admitted. “But I've got a lot of self-belief, and I knew that there was still a lot left to give and I've got a lot of drive, so I haven't reached my goal yet and the journey's not finished. So I'm ready to get another big win December 20 and then really push on in 2026.”

And he has been grateful for all of the lessons he has learned from sparring on his way. Along with Benn and Eubank, he has done live rounds with former foe Josh Kelly, too.

“I don't think you can ever stop learning,” Williamson said. “Once you stop learning, basically that's when you need to call it a day, they're all tremendous fighters, they're all completely different fighters, so yeah, you obviously take little bits from each camp and obviously try and implement it into your own training.”
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Callum Simpson Seeks 4th Win Of 2025 After Weathering Italian Storm

Although he can afford to laugh about it now, Callum Simpson is acutely aware that his world title dream nearly went up in smoke on a cold night in Barnsley six months back.

Simpson (18-0, 13 KOs) was rightfully an overwhelming favourite against little-known Italian Ivan Zucco when they met for the vacant European super middleweight title at Oakwell Stadium in Simpson’s hometown of Barnsley, England on June 7.

But within 10 seconds of the opening bell, Simpson found himself on the canvas for the first time in his career, floored by a hard left hook-right hand combination from the visitor, which threw a cloak of silence over the football ground he has been attending since he was a kid.

“Quite a few people said I had them worried at the start,” a grinning Simpson told The Ring. “But I just wanted to make it a little bit more dramatic. It was all in the plan, all scripted, just to give them a better show.”

Simpson climbed up off the canvas and weathered the storm, but he found himself down again in the closing stages of the third round as this contest threatened to end in disaster. Up he climbed once more and, although he looked visibly more wobbled this time, he made it through the crisis.

Then, in the 10th, he completely turned the tide, dropping and stopping Zucco to keep his career on track.

“Because that was the first time I’ve been down I showed something that I’ve never had to show before,” Simpson said. “It’s another box ticked I suppose. Not that anyone wants to get dropped, but it’s nice to know that if I do, I’ve got the ability to get back up and come on strong and still dig deep and win the fight. I was never hurt, never really fazed and I got straight back up both times. I definitely got caught cold. It was a freezing night even though it was June 7. We had a little bit of a storm that weekend.”

The same could be said of those opening three rounds in the context of an otherwise faultless career to date for Simpson, the British, Commonwealth and European champion. But now, with only the world scene left to conquer, he knows sterner tests lie in wait.

The 29-year-old Simpson will face Troy Williamson (21-4-1, 15 KOs), the all-action campaigner from Darlington, at First Direct Arena in Leeds on Saturday night.

Williamson had been on a run of four defeats in five fights before he stepped up to super middleweight and gave his career a much-needed lifeline by stopping Mark Dickinson in the ninth round of their September clash.

Once again, Simpson is a significant favourite to secure what will be his fourth win of 2025. But after his scare against Zucco, he will not be taking anything for granted.

“He’s going to be extremely fit and well conditioned,” Simpson said of Williamson. “He’s got a great work rate and he’s a good boxer with great amateur pedigree. I’m expecting the best version of Troy Williamson and I think it’s become apparent that in some of his more recent fights he’s struggled at the weight and has not really been able to perform like he may want to.

“But he’s come to my weight now and knocked out the English champion in Mark Dickinson, a big prospect coming through. But I’m here to show that this is my weight and I’m the man at this weight.”

Simpson has yet to breach The Ring’s top 10 at super middleweight, but he is well placed with all four sanctioning bodies. His highest ranking is with the IBF, which has him fifth. With the IBF’s No. 2 spot currently empty, a victory over Williamson could realistically set up a final eliminator in the summer.

“Next year I see myself having a fight around March time,” Simpson said. “And then I see myself going back to Oakwell in the summer, which could be a world title eliminator, or it could be a world title.”
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Spud MK2 »

2 x free tickets

who can guess what was ben shaloms first job

if more than 1 guesses correctly winner drawn out if a hat

if no one guesses correctly…. i will draw out of a hat

DMs only please

entry closes fri 19 dec at 1400hrs
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Spud MK2 wrote: 14 Dec 2025, 14:59 Anyone for the shock?
:OhYes:
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by MPW »

With Crawford's announcement yesterday, this one could take on even more significance for Simpson. A win could put him in line for a world title shot, while a loss sends him back to the drawing board. On the flip side, does a Williamson win put him in the running for a that title fight?
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

December 20: Leeds, England (TrillerTV+)

Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson, 12 rounds, for Simpson’s European, British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles
Blair Cobbs vs. Elliot Whale, 10 rounds, welterweights
Frankie Stringer vs. Levi Giles, 8 rounds, lightweights
Sam Hickey vs. Aljaz Venko, 6 rounds, middleweights
Ashlee Eales vs. Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, 6 rounds, welterweights
Ellis Ward vs. Jake Jon Cleary, 6 rounds, welterweights
Tom Rafferty vs. Grant Dennis, 6 rounds, middleweights
Mick Learmonth vs. Harry Matthews, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
Cory Sagar vs. Joe Hardy, 4 rounds, middleweights
Bradley Casey vs. Dylan Courtney, 4 rounds, cruiserweights
Max Curtis vs. Jacob Marrer, 4 rounds, junior welterweights
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Ruthless-RKO wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 05:04 December 20: Leeds, England (TrillerTV+)

Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson, 12 rounds, for Simpson’s European, British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles
Blair Cobbs vs. Elliot Whale, 10 rounds, welterweights
Frankie Stringer vs. Levi Giles, 8 rounds, lightweights
Sam Hickey vs. Aljaz Venko, 6 rounds, middleweights
Ashlee Eales vs. Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, 6 rounds, welterweights
Ellis Ward vs. Jake Jon Cleary, 6 rounds, welterweights
Tom Rafferty vs. Grant Dennis, 6 rounds, middleweights
Mick Learmonth vs. Harry Matthews, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
Cory Sagar vs. Joe Hardy, 4 rounds, middleweights
Bradley Casey vs. Dylan Courtney, 4 rounds, cruiserweights
Max Curtis vs. Jacob Marrer, 4 rounds, junior welterweights
The Mrs is round at her crazy Italian friend's for wine and games and I have to sit through this undercard. I must have done something bad in a previous life.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by mickey1975 »

Ruthless-RKO wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 05:04 December 20: Leeds, England (TrillerTV+)

Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson, 12 rounds, for Simpson’s European, British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles
Blair Cobbs vs. Elliot Whale, 10 rounds, welterweights
Frankie Stringer vs. Levi Giles, 8 rounds, lightweights
Sam Hickey vs. Aljaz Venko, 6 rounds, middleweights
Ashlee Eales vs. Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, 6 rounds, welterweights
Ellis Ward vs. Jake Jon Cleary, 6 rounds, welterweights
Tom Rafferty vs. Grant Dennis, 6 rounds, middleweights
Mick Learmonth vs. Harry Matthews, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
Cory Sagar vs. Joe Hardy, 4 rounds, middleweights
Bradley Casey vs. Dylan Courtney, 4 rounds, cruiserweights
Max Curtis vs. Jacob Marrer, 4 rounds, junior welterweights
Stringer fight is off.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by mickey1975 »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 05:22
Ruthless-RKO wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 05:04 December 20: Leeds, England (TrillerTV+)

Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson, 12 rounds, for Simpson’s European, British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles
Blair Cobbs vs. Elliot Whale, 10 rounds, welterweights
Frankie Stringer vs. Levi Giles, 8 rounds, lightweights
Sam Hickey vs. Aljaz Venko, 6 rounds, middleweights
Ashlee Eales vs. Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, 6 rounds, welterweights
Ellis Ward vs. Jake Jon Cleary, 6 rounds, welterweights
Tom Rafferty vs. Grant Dennis, 6 rounds, middleweights
Mick Learmonth vs. Harry Matthews, 4 rounds, light heavyweights
Cory Sagar vs. Joe Hardy, 4 rounds, middleweights
Bradley Casey vs. Dylan Courtney, 4 rounds, cruiserweights
Max Curtis vs. Jacob Marrer, 4 rounds, junior welterweights
The Mrs is round at her crazy Italian friend's for wine and games and I have to sit through this undercard. I must have done something bad in a previous life.
Get the Ghana show on, Keith.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by a force »

We’re off to this tomorrow night to support Simpson. Unfortunately the undercard is pretty poor so I can’t see me getting the lads in to watch much of the bill.

I imagine Leeds will be a bit of a war zone tomorrow night. Several thousand coming from Barnsley & an 8pm kick off at home for Leeds United on top of loads being out on Christmas do’s.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Rockytony67 »

Blair Cobbs has pulled out.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Rockytony67 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 09:31 Blair Cobbs has pulled out.
who's even left on this card??
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Rockytony67 »

https://x.com/boxxer/status/2001998133803254018

Boxxer have put out a new running order.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Rockytony67 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 09:51 https://x.com/boxxer/status/2001998133803254018

Boxxer have put out a new running order.


thanks
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Rockytony67 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 09:31 Blair Cobbs has pulled out.
Any idea why?
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Rockytony67 »

keithmoonhangover wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 10:15
Rockytony67 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 09:31 Blair Cobbs has pulled out.
Any idea why?
He's declared himself unfit to fight due to illness.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by keithmoonhangover »

Rockytony67 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 10:25
keithmoonhangover wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 10:15
Rockytony67 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 09:31 Blair Cobbs has pulled out.
Any idea why?
He's declared himself unfit to fight due to illness.
He was all mouth at the stare down.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

mickey1975
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by mickey1975 »

He got pulled at the medical.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by keithmoonhangover »

mickey1975 wrote: 19 Dec 2025, 13:33 He got pulled at the medical.
Any idea why?
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Frankie Stringer and Blair Cobbs off separate bouts on Boxxer card in Leeds

Two fighters have been pulled from their respective bouts on the undercard of the super middleweight main event featuring Callum Simpson against Troy Williamson on December 20 in Leeds, England.

Blair Cobbs was supposed to face unbeaten welterweight Elliot Whale, while lightweight prospect Frankie Stringer was scheduled to take on Levi Giles.

But Cobbs “declar[ed] himself unfit to fight due to illness,” according to Boxxer, which is promoting the

Stringer, meanwhile, “has not been cleared to box following a pre-fight medical examination, which revealed an issue requiring further examination.”

That has required some shuffling from the promoter. Whale, 12-0 (7 KOs), will instead meet Ashlee Eales, 11-1 (3 KOs), who was originally going to face the 12-2 Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards.

Giles, 16-2-1 (4 KOs), is expected to remain on the card, but a new opponent has not yet been announced.
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Fight Night!! :box:
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Re: Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson | BBC - 20 December 2025

Post by Ruthless-RKO »

Image
Image

Live from First Direct Arena in Leeds, UK..
Matchroom Boxing presents: The Future Now

Time: 6 pm (UK time)
TV/Live stream: BBC iPlayer
Time: 7:30 pm UK
TV/Live stream: BBC THREE | Price: Free-to-air
Time: 1 pm ET/ | 10 am PT
TV/Live stream: TrillerTV+ | Price: $7.99/month or $69.99/year

Running Order

*Fight card subject to change.

Doors open: 4 pm | First bell: 4:15 0pm

Lightweight Contest
Levi Giles vs. Jahfieus Faure

4 Round Super-Lightweight Contest
Max Curtis vs. Jacob Marrer

4 Round Cruiserweight Contest
Bradley Casey vs. Dylan Courtney

4 Round Light-Heavyweight Contest
Mick Learmonth vs. Harry Matthews

Live on BBC iPlayer: 6 pm

4 Round Middleweight Contest
Cory Sagar vs. Joe Hardy

6 Round Middleweight Contest
Tom Rafferty vs. Grant Dennis

6 Round Welterweight Contest
Ellis Ward vs. Jake Jon Cleary

Live on BBC THREE: 7:30 pm UK

6 Round Middleweight Contest
Sam Hickey vs. Aljaz Venko

Followed by

6 Round Welterweight Contest
Elliot Whale vs. Ashlee Eales

Followed by

European, British, & Commonwealth Super-Middleweight Championship
Callum Simpson vs. Troy Williamson
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