Callum Simpson stops Steed Woodall early to retain titles on emotional night
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Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles with a second-round stoppage of Steed Woodall on an emotional night in Sheffield. Simpson was fighting for the first time since the death of his sister, Lily-Rae, at the age of 19. “I’m feeling bittersweet,” he told Sky Sports after his quick victory. “There’s one person who everyone knows I wish was here, but I know she’s looking down on me and I know I’m making her proud.
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“I brought my [family] into the ring just to show that she’s not here, but she’s here in spirit,” the 28-year-old added. “I’ve still got a lot to be grateful for.” Simpson wore his sister’s name on his shorts and robe for the fight; Lily-Rae died following a quad bike accident while on holiday in Greece last August.
Barnsley fighter Simpson was the heavy crowd favourite at the Canon Medical Arena, up against Birmingham’s Woodall, who came into the fight with a record of two losses in 22 bouts. Woodall offered some dangerous shots early in the round, but Simpson asserted his superiority with a powerful right-left combination.
Early in the second round, Simpson sent his opponent to the canvas and although Woodall got to his feet, the referee stopped the fight soon after with the challenger caught on the ropes. Simpson improves to 16-0 with 11 wins by knockout, and said afterwards he is planning a summer return to Barnsley FC’s Oakwell stadium.
“Jon Flatman [Barnsley’s CEO] was ringside and I asked if we could mess up his pitch again this summer,” said Simpson, who defeated Zak Chelli at the football ground last summer. “He’s given us permission, so we’re gonna be back at Oakwell next summer,” Simpson confirmed to BBC Radio Sheffield.
