Troy Williamson vs. Callum Simpson II | Rematch - Who wins?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson will fight again in May

Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson are set to run back their first encounter for the British and European super middleweight titles.

The pair fought back in December, with Williamson stopping Simpson in brutal fashion after having his man down multiple times. Williamson, a former British title holder at 154lbs, was not fancied by many, but tore up the script to dethrone Simpson in front of his huge Yorkshire fan base. There was a rematch clause in place before the contest, but there were doubts as to whether Simpson and his promoter Ben Shalom would fancy it after the sustained beating Simpson took.

Williamson has also been contacted by the IBF for a shot at their vacant super middleweight title against Osleys Iglesias - a fight Williamson was interested in - but it looks like he will now have to turn it down.

“We have [activated the rematch clause] and that will happen in May,” Shalom confirmed to Boxing Scene and other reporters. “Callum gave Troy a voluntary shot; we gave him an opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a shame he had no representative there that night. I was glad for Troy Williamson, I genuinely was. I love it when fighters have had a really tough time and have to come through in all different ways; it was an unbelievable story.

“It’s not a jail sentence [the rematch]. He gets a massive, massive fight against a fighter he will believe he’ll beat again. It’s a huge rematch. Callum’s career is on the line, he knows that. He has made a few changes and he’ll announce them soon. It’s a huge fight for both of them and I’m looking forward to that, [it will be] probably back in Yorkshire.”

[Taansend]

Can Simpson safely make the weight anymore?

[SeanBrennan]

Can Simpson safely make the weight anymore?

It doesn’t look so. I met him the day before the Chelli fight and he’s huge in height and frame how he gets to 168 is amazing. He must walk about at 210

[Taansend]

Can Simpson safely make the weight anymore?

It doesn’t look so. I met him the day before the Chelli fight and he’s huge in height and frame how he gets to 168 is amazing. He must walk about at 210

Six months after their 1st fight went help, will it.

[keithmoonhangover]

Troy's nailed on to stop him again, sooner this time.

[Floydendizer]

Shalom mentioned a show May 2nd guess that’s the date

[Ruthless-RKO]

Callum Simpson triggers rematch clause, denies Troy Williamson title fight

Troy Williamson will have to repeat his upset of Callum Simpson if he wants a shot at IBF gold

Boxing politics raised Troy Williamson’s hopes and dashed them quite expertly.

This past Sunday, the IBF’s most recent rankings update put Williamson at no. 6 at 168 thanks to his upset of Callum Simpson, putting him right in line for a vacant title bout with Osleys Iglesias after Canelo Alvarez, Jaime Munguia, and Hamzah Sheeraz all declined. Williamson and his team publicly expressed their desire to challenge the Cuban boogeyman, but it’s not to be, as Simpson Ben Shalom tells BS that they’ve activated their rematch clause and will run it back in May.

Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KO) is less than a year removed from a rout at the hands of Jahi Tucker that capped off a 1-4 skid, but a move to super middleweight proved to be just what the doctor ordered. After acclimating with a finish of the overweight Mark Dickinson to claim the English title, he overwhelmed the heavily favored Simpson (18-1, 13 KO) for a come-from-behind, four-knockdown stoppage in the tenth.

It’s entirely possible that Williamson and his team knew the rematch was coming and never intended to challenge Iglesias, but it’s still a bummer. Automatic rematch clauses when the A-side got whupped are stupid.

As for Iglesias, looks like those of you that picked no. 7 Pavel Silyagin to get the call can collect your winnings.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Callum Simpson activates rematch clause, set for Troy Williamson sequel in May

Callum Simpson is ready to put his ‘career on the line’ in an immediate rematch with Troy Williamson which has been pencilled in for May 2.

Simpson (18-1, 13 KOs) was stunned by underdog Williamson as he attempted to make what many had predicted would be a routine defence of his British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight titles on December 20.

Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs), one of British boxing's best servants over the past decade, ripped up the script and stopped Simpson in the 10th round of their clash at Leeds’ First Direct Arena.

As Williamson had been a voluntary defence for Simpson, a rematch clause was included in the fight contract and now the 29-year-old from Barnsley has decided to trigger it, his promoter Ben Shalom confirmed on Tuesday.

“We have activated it and that fight will happen in May, 100 per cent,” Shalom said.

“It’s a huge rematch, Callum’s career is on the line and he knows that. He has made a few changes, he will announce them soon, but it’s a huge night for both of them.”

The initial fight happened in Simpson’s home county of Yorkshire, around 25 miles away from his home, but when asked whether Darlington’s Williamson will now enjoy home advantage as champion, Shalom said: “The fight will be wherever we want.

“To be fair, Callum gave Troy a voluntary shot and we gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. I was glad for Troy Williamson, I love it when fighters have had a really tough time and have had to come from different ways. It was an unbelievable story.

“For me this would still be the biggest pay day for him. It’s not a jail sentence, he gets a massive night against a fighter he’ll believe he will beat again. I’m looking forward to that, probably back in Yorkshire.”

It had been suggested that Simpson may decide to rebuild in a different way before attempting to win back his belts down the line but Shalom is adamant the new challenger had no choice but to head straight back into the fire against Williamson.

He added: “He had the rematch clause and if he lets that go, maybe he never gets the opportunity again. I believe he knows where he went wrong.”

[MPW]

It does kind of make you wonder if Williamson knew the rematch clause was going to be activated and didn't get too wrapped up with the IBF title opportunity. Still, you feel for him because title shots don't come along every day for most boxers. That being said, I hope Williamson does a repeat of the first fight and eventually gets a shot at one of the SMW world championship belts.

[JamesPhilips]

This is a weird decision especially for a top ticket seller. Maybe Simpson had a bad camp or struggled with the weight and Shalom know this. It was such a bruising and conclusive fight it’s odd to want to make this fight straight away.

So bored of these rematch clauses too.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Considering how’s he’s been vocal about Eubank.. he doesn’t seem to care about Simpson

[keithmoonhangover]

Maybe Simpson had a bad camp or struggled with the weight

No, he's just not that good.

[Coco]

This is a weird decision especially for a top ticket seller. Maybe Simpson had a bad camp or struggled with the weight and Shalom know this. It was such a bruising and conclusive fight it’s odd to want to make this fight straight away.

So bored of these rematch clauses too.

And Williamson misses a world title shot

[magnus]

Perhaps a stupid question, but how do these clauses work in practical terms?

What would actually happen if Williamson went off and fought someone else?

A financial penalty?

Stripped of titles?

What if he couldn't physically make Super Middle anymore himself (I know that's not likely for Troy, but hypothetically?)

[wrighty]

If Williams wins, maybe Shalom tries to line him up for Eubank returning at 168? I don't know if pockets would be deep enough though

[Floydendizer]

Standard practice putting a rematch clause in a voluntary defence .

[rio]

Gutted for Troy if this is the case. Loses out on a world title shot. Shalom should let him fight for the world title and if he wins Simpson had to be his 1st defense

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gutted for Troy if this is the case. Loses out on a world title shot. Shalom should let him fight for the world title and if he wins Simpson had to be his 1st defense

Simpson needs a W on his record before challenging for WBO. Could have just featured on the Troy-Iglesias card

[MPW]

Gutted for Troy if this is the case. Loses out on a world title shot. Shalom should let him fight for the world title and if he wins Simpson had to be his 1st defense

Simpson needs a W on his record before challenging for WBO. Could have just featured on the Troy-Iglesias card

This makes sense to me. Simpson gets a win and Williamson gets his title shot. However, if Williamson loses the title fight, it does take some of the luster off the rematch, outside of Simpson's desire to avenge the loss to Williamson.

[johnmanchester]

My guess is Callum is another one who wants to leave and this is Boxxer looking to hand him back to back L's on his way out

[TheLeprechaun]

I just don't think Simpson has the athleticism to go further than this level.

He's also coming off a bad stoppage. He took too much due to a poor corner and ref. That's exactly the kind of situation that will cause flashbacks once he gets hit hard and is in trouble again.

[Ruthless-RKO]

TROY WILLIAMSON LIKELY STRIPPED OF EUROPEAN TITLE WITH IMPENDING SIMPSON REMATCH

Troy Williamson began the week on the precipice of fighting for a world title.

It ends with his European super middleweight championship in jeopardy.

England’s Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) pulled off a huge upset when he scored a come-from-behind knockout of countryman Callum Simpson (18-1, 13 KOs) in the 10th round December 20 at First Direct Arena in Leeds.

When the IBF later moved through its rankings, it got to the newly installed Williamson, who expressed interest in facing unbeaten Cuban knockout artist Osleys Iglesias for one of the super middleweight titles Terence Crawford vacated when he retired last month.

Williamson was prevented from fighting Iglesias when Simpson’s promoter, BOXXER’s Ben Shalom, exercised Simpson’s contractual right to an immediate rematch, which will likely take place in May.

It now appears, however, that the EBU title will not be on the line when Williamson and Simpson fight again.

According to Article 17 of the EBU rules, direct rematches are forbidden, unless the EBU council allows it. The Ring has learned that the EBU voted against approving Williamson-Simpson 2 as a fight for its 168-pound championship.

The EBU determined that although Simpson was ahead at the time of the stoppage, he was dropped four times and the result was neither close nor controversial.

Moreover, Williamson won the title as a voluntary challenger. A proposed contest between the pair therefore cannot be considered a voluntary defense.

Williamson will instead be called to face another contender for the EBU belt. It looks likely though, that he will be forced to vacate the title because he is contractually bound to face Simpson in their immediate rematch.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why a rematch clause for the EBU belt.

And it won’t be on the line for the rematch.

Just about avenging a loss then.

[MPW]

Man, you've got to feel bad for Williamson. He began the week with the possibility of an IBF world title fight on the horizon or at least the prospect of an EBU title defense. Now, there's no IBF opportunity and the EBU belt will likely be going away, and he's left with a rematch against a fighter he dropped four times and stopped. And the way things are going for Williamson, Shalom will probably push to have the rematch at 175.

[Coco]

I thought you couldn't fight for an EBU title off a loss?