Callum Simpson vs. Ivan Zucco | Sky Sports - 7 June 2025

[Ruthless-RKO]

Round-by-Round starts here




Callum Simpson and Ivan Zucco to contest European 168lbs title on June 7

Callum Simpson is to fight Italy’s Ivan Zucco for the European super-middleweight title at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley, England on June 7.

It was at that same venue that the 28 year old not only won the British and Commonwealth titles against Zak Chelli in August 2024, he convinced his promoters Boxxer and broadcaster Sky Sports of his growing popularity in his hometown by quickly selling all 7,000 tickets, making them determined to return there in front of a bigger crowd.

Simpson defended both titles against Steed Woodall in January and then his Commonwealth title against Elvis Ahorgah of Ghana three weeks later, contributing to him edging closer to world level in a fight for the EBU title against the 29-year-old Zucco in June.

“This is the biggest fight of my career, and I’m expecting my toughest test to date,” said Simpson, a lifelong supporter of Barnsley Football Club. “Last summer, I won the British and Commonwealth titles in front of my home crowd, and now we’re coming back, bigger and better, fighting for the European title against an undefeated fighter in Ivan Zucco.

“This isn’t just another fight, it’s a massive European night, and I’m coming to put on a statement performance. I need Oakwell to be a fortress on June 7 and make sure that European title stays right here in Barnsley.

“The support from Barnsley means everything to me. This town has backed me from day one, and to be fighting at Oakwell again, in front of my people, is something special. Last time we sold it out in two days; this time we’re going even bigger. It’s going to be a night to remember and I couldn’t be prouder to represent Barnsley on the big stage.”

Zucco has stopped 18 of 21 opponents – he won the other three fights via decision – and he said: “I am really honoured to fight for such a prestigious title in such a big event. Facing a high-quality opponent like Callum Simpson is an opportunity that excites me a lot. It will be a tough battle, but I am ready to give my all for victory.

“Winning the European title would be a dream come true. This title means a lot to me, not only on a personal level, but also to my family and everyone who has always believed in me. It will be an honour to bring the title back to Italy and the culmination of a journey that I have undertaken with passion and sacrifice.”

“We are excited to bring a massive night of European boxing to Oakwell Stadium headlined by local hero Callum Simpson,” said Boxxer’s Ben Shalom. “The atmosphere last summer was something special but this is going to be even bigger with Callum Simpson in his toughest test yet facing the undefeated Italian, Ivan Zucco, for the European super-middleweight crown.

“I know the fans from Barnsley and Yorkshire get behind their own and Callum will be counting on this incredible home support to give him the edge in this epic battle between two unbeaten fighters.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

[a force]

Not seen anything of Zucco, an upset possible?

He’s not fought at 168 for over 2 years which could be a factor.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Boxxer working on increased attendance for Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco

Boxxer are pushing to secure permission to sell up to 18,000 tickets for the European super middleweight title fight between Callum Simpson and Italy’s Ivan Zucco on June 7.

Simpson is to return to Oakwell Football Ground, the stadium of his hometown team Barnsley, less than a year after selling all 7,000 tickets when he challenged his fellow Englishman Zak Chelli for the British and Commonwealth titles.

It was the success of that occasion, commercially even more than Simpson’s performance, that convinced his promoter and broadcaster Sky Sports to return there as soon as possible. Victories over Steed Woodall and Elvis Ahorgah followed that over Chelli, further enhancing the 28-year-old’s profile, and for his date with the heavy-handed, undefeated Zucco he is expecting a crowd more than double in size.

“It’s going to be at least 15,000,” he told BS. “At the minute they’re at 15,000. I want it to be more. Boxxer are working closely with the football club and the local authorities – the police, and the council – to try and get it as high as possible for a non-football event.

“Realistically, I think we’re pushing for 17,500; 18,000. It’s massive, innit? It’s absolutely massive. Last year we did it at 7,000, and the event was absolutely unbelievable. This time, even 15,000 is just unreal – it’s crazy.

“If you look at Tony Bellew – he did about 12,000, 13,000 [in the region of 15,000 was reported] at Goodison Park for a world-title fight at cruiserweight [against Congo’s Ilunga Makabu in 2016], and how big he was. For us to be even thinking about doing 15,000 is unbelievable. For a European title fight, if you look at all the boxers who have done it locally… Josh Warrington, world title; Kell Brook, world title; Carl Froch, world title; Tony Bellew, world title. For me to do it for the British firstly, and then go to this kind of capacity for a European, not even a world-title fight, so early in my career, it’s absolutely massive. I’m so proud and grateful to be given this opportunity, in my hometown of Barnsley.

“Barnsley, we’ve proven time and time again – that’s why the show’s called One Of Our Own – 7,000 sold-out within 48 hours last time, and that was against Zak Chelli for a British title. It were the only fight announced on the card; no one really knew who it was, in terms of the fans coming to watch. They just knew that a local lad from Barnsley were fighting at Oakwell, and that’s why they got behind me. They’re about their own.

“Now I’m a lot more established; I got bit more of a name for myself, not just in Barnsley but more nationally as well. We’re fighting for a European title, and it’s an undefeated fighter – 21-0; 18 knockouts. He’s had more knockouts than I’ve had fights, so if I was a fan, I’d definitely be up for that.”

Three weeks separated Simpson’s fights with Woodall and Ahorgah. Before learning that Zucco, 29, was to be his next opponent, Simpson had already recognised that he required a rest.

After the second of those, on February 1, he spent a week in St Lucia with his then-girlfriend Daniella, who agreed to marry him after he proposed to her while they were still there, and then two weeks in Dubai, where he sparred four times.

He had previously spoken of his desire to win the British title “outright”, by making three successful defences of it – Woodall remains the only one so far – and when asked if his pursuit of the EBU title meant that he was advancing beyond that ambition he responded: “I still want to win the British outright. I’m hoping to win the European in the summer; Hamzah Sheeraz is moving up to 168, so it’s the perfect European-British defence right there.

“I feel great. I started camp in a great place, two weeks ago. My weight’s better – lower than it was this far out, last camp. My numbers and my circuits in training are better than they were last time out. I’ve started in a great position.”

[JxhDel.]

They have power in their hands and can boxe, I think Callum can do it via decision

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

CALLUM SIMPSON AIMS TO COLLIDE HAMZAH SHEERAZ IN SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

CALLUM SIMPSON believes Hamzah Sheeraz’s imminent move up to super-middleweight can help rekindle Britain’s glory days at 168lbs.

The British and Commonwealth champion has not put a foot wrong so far at domestic level and takes the next logical step on June 7 when he challenges undefeated Ivan Zucco for the vacant European title.

But while it appeared as though his work in Britain was done, a new threat to his status as the country’s best super-middleweight has now emerged from down south in Ilford.

Sheeraz, a former 154lber himself, had big plans to unify the world middleweight titles before another move upwards. However, draining his 6ft 3in frame down to 160lbs became too much for him and a weight-affected Sheeraz struggled to a split draw in his challenge for Carlos Adames' WBC belt in Riyadh on February 22.

Earlier this month, his promoter allegedly told The Ring that Sheeraz’s immediate future now lies up at super-middleweight with a return to the ring expected late this summer.

Now Simpson is eying a domestic classic to keep up Britain’s rich tradition in the division.

The 28-year-old from Barnsley told The Ring: “Traditionally and historically, super-middleweight has always been a big division in Great Britain. You’ve had Carl Froch, George Groves, James DeGale, Callum Smith, then before that Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Michael Watson.

“But more recently there’s been a big lack of depth in the super-middleweight division in this country. Other than myself, there’s nobody worth fighting, there are no big names that are marketable.

“So having Hamzah Sheeraz move up to my weight, I’m happy about that. It’s big for Britain and the division. It’s definitely a fight that could happen in the near future. I’ll happily defend the European title against him once I’ve won it.

“Or if His Excellency Turki Al-Alshikh will have me, I’ll fight him over in Riyadh. I’m more than happy to take that fight and I’ll welcome it with open arms.”

Simpson has stealthily emerged as a contender on the world scene too, with three of the four sanctioning bodies rating him inside their top 10, and the other placing him 12th. The 21-0-1 (17) Sheeraz, meanwhile, remains at No.2 with the WBC at middleweight and will likely go straight in reasonably high at 168lb too.

“I’m ranked highly on the world scene at the minute and it will go even higher once I win this fight,” Simpson added. “So maybe we could fight in a final eliminator. That could be huge for Britain.

“He’s had a good career so far and I’ve met him once. He seemed like a great lad but when it comes to boxing I’ll happily fight him and beat him.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

No undercard set for this yet.

Simpson gonna shift all the stadium tickets by himself?

[Ruthless-RKO]

CALLUM SIMPSON: WHAT'S NEXT FOR BEN WHITTAKER? JUST KEEP HIM AWAY FROM ME!

THIS past weekend, British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Callum Simpson embraced his spectator role in Sheffield and Birmingham, watching an Easter double-header ringside.

Seven weeks out from his mandated EBU European title shot against fellow unbeaten contender Ivan Zucco (21-0, 18 KOs), the 28-year-old saw some familiar faces and a few potential future foes too.

He warmly applauded Elvis Ahorgah (13-4, 12 KOs) before his 10-round decision defeat by former European middleweight champion Tyler Denny (20-3-3, 1 KO) on the latter's return, some two-and-a-half months after Simpson stopped the flamboyant Ghanaian in five rounds during a short-notice assignment on February 1.

Having teased a local derby duel between himself and Liam Cameron (23-7-1, 10 KOs) for the Oakwell slot in June, instead he'll face his toughest test yet in Italian southpaw Zucco.

After watching 2020 Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker (9-0-1, 6 KOs) redeem himself with an early night's work in the main event, Simpson didn't seem particularly impressed.

"The first two rounds went exactly the same as the first fight they had, obviously he must've caught Liam a lot cleaner and got the stoppage," he told The Ring.

"I don't know what's next for him but I'd say keep Ben away from me, definitely. My style, I beat him all day long, yeah he's a nice boxer but the professional game is so much different than the amateurs, you need to be a fighter - I can do both - box on the inside and be too much for him."

Although they're a division apart at present, Simpson has the 6ft 3in frame to seamlessly slot into the light-heavyweight picture if and when that decision makes sense.

Having made his professional debut at 181lbs in June 2019, the proud Barnsley man only committed to making the 168-pound limit three years later and it's proven fruitful.

After a second-round stoppage over Ben Ridings saw him collect the Central Area title, his next fight five months later was the first of a long-term promotional deal with BOXXER and Sky Sports, who have steadily built his profile.

Two years later, he's headlined twice in Yorkshire and will do so a third time with an increased capacity at his beloved Oakwell Stadium on June 7. How is he feeling?

"Well, this is my first southpaw opponent so we've been getting some good sparring in, everything I've been working on has clicked straight away. My weight is good, everything's going well so far.

I heard of Ivan when he beat Germaine Brown [UD10, March 2023] but you know I don't watch much boxing, so the team have studied film and I've seen enough of him now. We know exactly what we're doing, sparring twice a week with two or three guys mixing in the rounds, that's what it'll be from here."

The conversation briefly shifts to Simpson cornering his stablemate Jasmina Zapotoczna (9-1), who surprised many by edging a 10-round split decision against Chloe Watson, snatching the European flyweight title on a historic Royal Albert Hall bill last month. He beams.

"As soon as I saw her with the title, I thought ... I've got to get one too, she can't be the only European champion in our gym! Chloe has a much bigger profile, Ricky Hatton in her corner and a big amateur background but that doesn't always impact what happens in the paid ranks. I wasn't amazing as an amateur either, but like I said before, they're two different sports."

Does that success from Dicky's Gym foreshadow what's to come for him? "I've learned a lot about myself, my ability and how far I can go over the last twelve months. I can go all the way."

[a force]

No undercard set for this yet.

Simpson gonna shift all the stadium tickets by himself?

He’s apparently done 11,000 up to now & it’s set up for 15,000

[Ruthless-RKO]

No undercard set for this yet.

Simpson gonna shift all the stadium tickets by himself?

He’s apparently done 11,000 up to now & it’s set up for 15,000

That's not bad at all..

[a force]

No undercard set for this yet.

Simpson gonna shift all the stadium tickets by himself?

He’s apparently done 11,000 up to now & it’s set up for 15,000

That's not bad at all..

It’s really good & that was straight from the mouth of someone who works at the club last week.

The only downside is it probably means we don’t get much of an undercard.

It’s probably a Caroline Dubois defence & a load of prospects from random parts of the UK.

[margaret thatcher]

when/how did simpson become a stadium seller outter?

kinda like he was just some decently promising but not particularly hyped undercard fighter. then, without any big win, and against someone practically no one has heard of , is here

i still dont even see that much talk about him on forums, certainly not relative to the crowd hes doing

[Ruthless-RKO]

when/how did simpson become a stadium seller outter?

kinda like he was just some decently promising but not particularly hyped undercard fighter. then, without any big win, and against someone practically no one has heard of , is here

i still dont even see that much talk about him on forums, certainly not relative to the crowd hes doing

Any stadium that’s only selling less than 20k tickets..

That’s just an arena. Also, they just appeal to the local football fans.. for a lot of people, it’s just an excuse for a night out.

[mickey1975]

when/how did simpson become a stadium seller outter?

kinda like he was just some decently promising but not particularly hyped undercard fighter. then, without any big win, and against someone practically no one has heard of , is here

i still dont even see that much talk about him on forums, certainly not relative to the crowd hes doing

Any stadium that’s only selling less than 20k tickets..

That’s just an arena. Also, they just appeal to the local football fans.. for a lot of people, it’s just an excuse for a night out.

Very few fighters get 15k in an arena. Who was the last in this country?

[Ruthless-RKO]

when/how did simpson become a stadium seller outter?

kinda like he was just some decently promising but not particularly hyped undercard fighter. then, without any big win, and against someone practically no one has heard of , is here

i still dont even see that much talk about him on forums, certainly not relative to the crowd hes doing

Any stadium that’s only selling less than 20k tickets..

That’s just an arena. Also, they just appeal to the local football fans.. for a lot of people, it’s just an excuse for a night out.

Very few fighters get 15k in an arena. Who was the last in this country?

The only arena’s bigger than 15k capacity are o2, AO, Co-Op Live, one of the Birmingham arenas.

Wembley arena is small I believe.

On Callum’s parts, he’s done a cracking job though.

[margaret thatcher]

still, even 15k, thats a great figure - but this might be the most low key route to selling 15k ive seen

[a force]

when/how did simpson become a stadium seller outter?

kinda like he was just some decently promising but not particularly hyped undercard fighter. then, without any big win, and against someone practically no one has heard of , is here

i still dont even see that much talk about him on forums, certainly not relative to the crowd hes doing

Honestly he is everywhere in Barnsley. For as long as I can remember he’s had a season ticket at the football club & he’s done loads of away games. He’s always got time for the fans & is in the town centre loads. Even just having a coffee with his Mrs in the centre of town.

If I said more people in the town would recognise him than fellow Barnsley lad John Stones I honestly don’t think that’s an understatement.

I also think Sky Sports coverage has massively helped. If he was tucked away on DAZN I don’t think he would have the same following. Sky have come up to pubs in the town packed with fans & done features on Simpson before his last few fights. You regularly see his upcoming fight advertised on Sky Sports News & he’s at every single Sky show on the front row & been interviewed during & between fights.

And lastly he’s a genuinely nice lad. I’ve never heard anyone have a bad word to say about him. It’s a small working class town & if you do behave badly news travels. As it is the whole towns behind him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

CALLUM SIMPSON MUST BE CAREFUL - I HAVE A VERY POWERFUL PUNCH, SAYS OPPONENT IVAN ZUCCO

Ivan Zucco is far more concerned by what will happen between the ropes rather than outside them when he travels to Barnsley to fight home favourite, Callum Simpson, for the vacant European super middleweight title on June 7th.

A hostile crowd of around 15,000 is expected to fill Oakwell Stadium on the night and even though the event is all but guaranteed to sell out, the unbeaten Italian still made a whistle stop trip to the Yorkshire town to promote the show and attend a launch press conference.

As a couple of hundred of Simpson’s fans milled around The Garrison sports bar chanting their hero’s name, Zucco and his manager and sometime interpreter, Christian Cherchi, cooly racked up a game of pool in a quiet back room.

“I get it,” Zucco, 21-0 (18 KOs), told The Ring. “Callum Simpson has become a star, popular in a short period of time.

“Popularity is good for the passion. The people from here, they support the local fighters. It's very good. He's lucky to have got here so quickly.

“Boxing in the UK is good for this because every city supports their own fighters. It doesn't always happen in the other parts of the world.

“I like this because Callum's fans can see me, can know me. It's important for me.”

As it turned out, Simpson’s passionate fans gave Zucco a respectful, friendly welcome to Barnsley but whilst he only got a small taste of the partisan atmosphere that awaits him next month, the short publicity tour did give him the chance to look around an unseasonably warm Oakwell Stadium and he also got the opportunity to weigh up the taller Simpson in the flesh.

Zucco has amassed 21 consecutive wins and - as Simpson, 17-0 (12 KOs) rightly pointed out - has more knockouts on his record than he has fights but he is still very much aware that he will be a bit part player when he returns to England in June.

None of that will matter when the ring clears on June 7th and the 29 year-old believes that he and Simpson are extremely well matched.

“My opinion is that he is an athlete; a boxer. I suppose he trains hard, like me. He loves boxing, like me. He wants to win, like me,” he said.

“Boxing is the most beautiful sport in the world.

“There are two opponents, but only one of them can win. Me and him do everything to win.

“I don't see Callum as a star because if the match had taken place in Italy, it's the same for me because I have more public. It’s the same kind of atmosphere because everybody is rooting for me. It’s the other way around because he comes from the UK.”

If Simpson has passed every test his handlers have placed in front of him, so too has Zucco.

In 2021 he won the Italian title by stopping the previously undefeated Luca Capuano and the following year he passed his biggest test on paper with flying colours, blowing away Croatia’s Marko Nikilic - then 28-1 - in just two rounds.

Those are the type of results that place a southpaw like Zucco firmly in the ‘Who Needs Him Club’ but he managed to get in ten useful rounds with former English champion, Germaine Brown, and aware that he faces a high intensity encounter with the the volume punching Simpson, he took himself away to Mexico to kick off his training camp with some hard sparring.

If this is the ideal fight for Simpson, it is also the type of fight Zucco has been waiting for.

“My major quality is the consistency, the pressure, the power of my punch. I’m also technical. Callum must be careful,” he said.

“It's the same for me, obviously, but I have a very powerful punch.

“Boxing is like this. One punch can change the match. So he has to stay very concentrated and the many people that come can put more pressure on him.

“This is a big opportunity for me to watch what I can do in the world.

“So I want to come here on June 7th in the best shape ever, the best condition ever and I will do this."

[Glass Joe]

think ben will be answering questions all week if this is sky final uk none box office show.

[maverick23]

think ben will be answering questions all week if this is sky final uk none box office show.

I’m surprised something hasn’t been announced by now.

About 6 months ago I was thinking Sky may leave boxing but I don’t think they will now. Eubank could be the biggest star in U.K. boxing whilst Whittaker also gets hype/interest.

It’s been noticeable to me how Boxxer haven’t signed any of the 2024 GB Olympians whilst they went heavy after the 2020 crop. I think the only recent Olympian they signed was Cindy Ngamba who represented the refugee team and for some reason hasn’t been able to fight yet.

There’s been no announcement yet on Top Rank’s future with Sky with that deal due to end soon. Will be really interesting to see what happens with Top Rank in the US too.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Fight week!!

[maverick23]

Just checked Boxrec for the undercard. Looks really bare.

[a force]

It’s poor. Boxxer could really do with some other fighters from the area to go on Simpson’s undercards. There’s not any over pro’s of note from Barnsley but there’s plenty in Sheffield & Doncaster.

[mickey1975]

Adam Azim added.