Updated 8 June 2025, 11:05 BST
Did Callum Simpson win?
Yes – Barnsley’s Callum Simpson got off the canvas twice to stop Ivan Zucco at 2 min 28 sec of round 10 on 7 June 2025, winning the vacant European super-middleweight title. Promoter Ben Shalom says Simpson could return in October, with Hamzah Sheeraz top of the shortlist. However first we will have to wait and see for any movements in the super middleweight rankings.
Oakwell Stadium shook as 18,000 fans watched a see-saw classic. Within eight seconds Zucco detonated a straight left that floored Simpson, and silenced the stadium. Another knockdown in round 3 left the crowd stunned. Simpson rallied behind a spiteful jab and looping rights, gradually backing the Italian onto the ropes. In round 10 a left hook-right uppercut combination sent Zucco down hard; two more knockdowns forced referee Howard Foster to halt the bout at 2:28 in the 10th round.
Because the bout ended by technical knockout, no official judges’ totals were announced. Ringside journalists had Zucco leading 86-83 on two cards and Simpson up 85-84 on another after nine rounds, underscoring the razor-close nature of the contest. After Simpson had been knocked down twice in earlier rounds it’s hard to win on the cards and needed a knockout victory to cement his win, which he delivered in stunning fashion.
Simpson dedicated the win to his late sister Lily-Rae, whose memory kept him fighting all the way from round 8. Tears flowed in the post-fight interview as he held the European belt aloft. He said, “I thought of Lily and I felt invincible. Nobody was taking my dream away tonight.”
Simpson V Zucco Stat’s
- Simpson: improves to 18-0 (14 KOs)
- Zucco: falls to 21-1 (18 KOs)
- Knockdowns: Simpson down twice (R1, R3); Zucco down three times (all R10)
What’s next for Callum Simpson?
Promoter Ben Shalom confirmed preliminary talks for an autumn defence in Sheffield or Manchester, with undefeated Hamzah Sheeraz or Commonwealth rival Zak Chelli leading the candidates. Sheeraz carries with him a huge following and close ties to the Saudi’s in boxing a win over Hamzah Sheeraz would catapult Simpson onto the world stage. However that would be a difficult fight for Callum, and Shalom needs to slow it down if he wants Simpson to ever make it be a world class fighter.
A rematch with Zucco remains possible if the Italian activates a clause, in a post fight interview he stated, “He turned the tide like a true champion. We will be back.” Hinting towards a rematch in Italy, and with two knockdowns over Simpson I don’t think it’s un-warranted to ask for that.
Simpson V Zucco Undercard results
- Sean Hemphill def. Mark Jeffers – Majority decision (96-94, 95-95, 96-94)
- Rhys Edwards def. Thomas Essomba – Points (78-74)
- Fletcher Stringer def. Kane Baker – Points (58-56)
- Three early prelims ended inside the distance, igniting the Oakwell crowd.
Callum Simpson Punching Stats
Simpson out-landed Zucco 182-155 in total punches, with a 61 percent power-shot connect rate from round 7 onward. His 6 ft 3 in frame finally showed its size around Zucco’s southpaw lead and ripped hooks to head and body. However the winning punches came from some amazing uppercuts. Zucco’s early success owed to speed and timing, but Simpson’s fitness and shot selection proved decisive.
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