Simpson Survives Two Knockdowns To Stop Zucco
Callum Simpson showed massive heart to stop Ivan Zucco after getting off the canvas twice to become the European Super Middleweight Champion.
Simpson was fighting in front of his home crowd in Barnsley as he sought to extend his undefeated record to 18-0. However, it was the worst possible start for him. Immediately in the first round, Zucco caught Simpson slacking, dropping him with a sharp left hand. While Simpson never looked hurt, it was a shock to the system.
Callum found himself in trouble once again in the third. Another left hand floored him as Zucco built a massive early lead with two 10-8 rounds. Simpson went back to his boxing fundamentals in the fourth by using his height and reach. He backed up Zucco in the fifth, as Simpson started to turn things around. Zucco was now slowing down as Simpson landed repeatedly upstairs in the eighth. Zucco was now slowing down. Simpson dropped him twice in the tenth with some uppercuts. Zucco got up twice, only to be floored again, as his team stopped the fight.
Reaction
“Honestly, I haven’t got words, I’m speechless. I knew Zucco would be tough. I wanna be world champion by next year. I got caught with a great straight backhand but I got back up fine. I got dropped again but it is all about not letting it phase me. There are no easy fights, not once did I give up, I just knew I had to push for everybody. I’ve got that Yorkshire grit, I was never gonna give up,” Simpson said
“Not once did I give up, in those last few rounds I’ll be honest I started thinking about my little sister Lily. I’ll be honest, I just thought I had to push for her and for everybody. This time last year, Lily was sat up here cheering me on and she was there with me tonight when it got tough, when it got hard. From round eight, I thought, ‘I’ve got to dig deep, I’ve got to keep pushing, I’ve got to do it for her’. She was with me tonight,” Simpson added
Full Results
Callum Simpson beat Ivan Zucco — TKO in round 10 (scheduled 12) to claim the vacant European super-middleweight title.
Sean Hemphill beat Mark Jeffers — majority decision after 10 rounds (super-middleweights).
Rhys Edwards beat Thomas Essomba — points win over 8 rounds (featherweights).
Sam Hickey beat Harley Hodgetts — points win over 6 rounds (middleweights).
Ellis Price beat Jake Price — TKO in round 5 (scheduled 6) (lightweights).
Frankie Stringer beat Kane Baker — points win over 8 rounds (lightweights).
Mauro Silva beat Omir Rodriguez — TKO in round 4 (scheduled 6) (middleweights).
Red Johnson beat Harley Collison — points win over 6 rounds (super-middleweights).
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