Callum Simpson (boxer)

Callum Simpson was born 1996 in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He attended Longcar primary school and Horizon Community College, a secondary school in Barnsley.^[1]

Before pursuing a career in boxing, Simpson was a keen footballer, playing for Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division side, Dodworth Miner's Welfare F.C. where his Dad was manager.

He left at the age of eight before taking up boxing in Bolton upon Dearne, Barnsley, later moving to train at Barnsley Star Boxing Club under Trevor Schofield.^[2]

He had 53 amateur fights, winning 38 before turning professional in 2019.^[3]

Simpson made his professional debut in 2019 against seasoned journeyman Elvis Dube at Doncaster Racecourse, winning a points decision.^[4]

In October of the same year, Simpson faced and beat Kiril Psonko. A month later, he beat Richard Harrison via TKO at the Metrodome, Barnsley.^[5]

Simpson had two fights in 2021, the first in October against Lewis van Poetsch. The second in December versus Antony Woolery, winning both via TKO.^[5] The latter in 50 seconds.

In 2022, Simpson was scheduled to fight Michael Osmanu Osunla. However, when the bout began, it was visibly noted that the opponent shared no resemblance to Osunla. Simpson continued to win the fight via KO. But an investigation was opened to uncover the identity of the imposter fighter.^[6] It is currently unknown who Simpson faced.

Later that year, Simpson had four subsequent fights. Winning all by TKO against Michal Gazdik, Michal Loniewski, Farouk Daku, and won his first title by defeating Ben Ridings to win the Central Area super middleweight title.

In February 2023, Simpson signed an exclusive promotional agreement with Boxxer.^[7] Simpson made his Boxxer debut in March 2023 against Celso Neves,winning via TKO. In July, Simpson beat Boris Crighton via unanimous decision. The third fight of the year came against Jose de Jesus Macias, with Simpson winning via unanimous decision after scoring a knockdown in the eighth round.^[5]

In 2024, on the undercard of Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke at the O2 Arena in London, Simpson defended his title once again vs. Dulla Mbabe, winning via knockout in round four.^[8]

Simpson won the British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles against champion Zak Chelli on 3 August 2024 in Barnsley at Simpson's childhood football club Barnsley F.C.'s stadium Oakwell. The fight, billed as Battle Lines was won by Simpson via unanimous decision^[9]

He made a successful first defense of his titles by stopping Steed Woodall in round two of their bout at Park Community Arena in Sheffield on 11 January 2025.^[10][11] Three weeks later, on 1 February 2025, he defended his Commonwealth title against Ghanian boxer Elvis Ahorgah at Wembley Arena in London, stopping his opponent in the fifth round.^[12][13]

Simpson faced Ivan Zucco for the vacant European super-middleweight title at Oakwell in Barnsley, England, on 7 June 2025.^[14][15] He was knocked to the canvas in the first and third rounds, but recovered to win by stoppage when he felled his opponent three times in the 10th round.^[16][17]

Simpson has one older brother, Bradley, a professional model,^[18] and one older sister. His younger sister, Lily-Rae Simpson, died at 19 in a road accident in Greece in August 2024.^[19]

Simpson now trains at Dicky's Gym in Batley, the former gym of IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington.^[20]

He is a lifelong fan of Barnsley F.C.^[21] and is notably proud of his Yorkshire roots.

In May 2025, Simpson partnered with The Trussell Trust to launch the Fight Against Hunger campaign with the aim of raising £15,000 for the Barnsley Foodbank.^[22]