Callum Simpson’s name unfortunately became well known among Italian boxing fans thanks to his victory over our own Ivan Zucco in a truly spectacular fight that took place a year ago. However, his joy at becoming European super middleweight champion was short-lived, as in December Simpson was knocked out by fellow Briton Troy Williamson, losing both his title and his unbeaten record.
To prepare for the rematch, scheduled for August 8 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the British boxer decided to change trainers, parting ways with his longtime coach Mark Hurley and placing himself under the guidance of the renowned Rob McCracken, best known for training champions such as Carl Froch and Anthony Joshua.
Despite this change, Simpson is keen to emphasize that he remains the same person he has always been. Here is what he told The Ring:
“That’s just me. I’m me. Since my pro debut, headlining at my football stadium, on the BBC, on Sky, and now on DAZN, I’m just me, and I’ll never change for no one. No matter how much success, money, or whatever title I get, I’m just me. A down-to-earth, working-class lad from Barnsley. Proud to be from Barnsley, a proper Yorkshire lad.
I’ll never be something I’m not. There’s no reason to.”
The British boxer also reflected on the impact his first defeat may have on him and on his decision to change trainers:
“Everyone says, ‘Maybe it’s a good thing it happened’. I wouldn’t say it’s a good thing that I lost but you’ve got to look at the positives from it and feel like I’ve made changes that needed to be made and working on things I need to work on.
I never boxed for Team GB, never even won a national or regional title [as an amateur] but definitely gone back to basics with Rob. I’m never going to lose what I’ve worked on with Mark but it’s what I can add to that as well.”